Sinead smiled, seeing the bitter sweet expressions on Tanis' face. It was a hard moment, being apart yet filled with the sense that it was unecessary. Avi wasn't here, and now she no longer had Tanis in her arms, Sinead could almost have wished she, for once, would let her in-law keep talking for as long as her heart desired.<br/>"I'll cover for you if necessary," Sinead encouraged, not wanting to add anything to the worries on Tanis' mind. In reality, she knew it wouldn't be a situation that would ever occur; Avi would never question Tanis.<br/>"Let me get him," she repeated, taking another step away from Tanis. Thoughtless, she brushed her palms against the legs of her trousers. "Have you eaten? Do you want a cup of coffee?"<br/>There was a slight sense of strain to her voice, finding it difficult to figure out how she had ever been able to engage superficially with Tanis. It was hard beyond explanation to regain that sense of polite indifference. She had taken another step down the hallway before she glanced over her shoulder towards the other woman. "There's a fresh pot on the stove, if you'd like some."