"Thank you." He was thankful for her reassuring words, and made the instant, silent resolution to practice again. "And yes, it's been about nine years, but it feels like ages ago ... in another life."

Which it was, more or less. But he was surprised, that tonight, in this company, it wasn't so bad to talk about it. And the thought of repeating that soon made him smile.

"Oh, I'd love that. Where would we go?"