She has to smile. How can she not, seeing these two, seeing the family his son has scraped together for himself? Her now three beautiful children--all clinging where something had been cracked, desperately seeking a fit.

Her fingers are light as she reaches over to pat Sophie's wrist. "An' we do, luv. And it's more than good uv you t' look after him like this. But Lord in Heaven knows no one wants you t' make yourself the lamb o' sacrifice completely. If you had your druthers, cariad, how'd it be for you?"