....do you know, I actually forgot that Ellie's supposed to be your lot's servant? Put my foot in that one. Yeah, you're right, can't use that as an excuse.

As for the rest of it --

Look. Don't take this the wrong way, yeah? 'Cause I don't mean it as anything other than face value or anything.

But if you do decide you want another, you could come talk to me about it.

I'm pretty sure there are spells and such, so this isn't me trying to get into your knickers (not that they aren't lovely knickers, I'm sure, but somehow I think we've both got plenty going on in our lives right now). But you're a fabulous mum, and for all that my brothers (and sister) drove me spare when I was younger, I wouldn't trade them for the world. I wouldn't tell anyone, either, not if you didn't want.

Probably another stupid suggestion (and you could write to Dierdre and tell her to hit me upside the head if you want, she likely wouldn't even ask why even though she doesn't know you) and I know it's not that easy -- loads of complications and a nest of problems that'd need to be solved and questions to settle first.

But if you wanted, really wanted, I'd help.

And don't you dare suggest you aren't clever. I know damn well who the smartest witch in our year was, and it sure as blazes wasn't Susan Dunstan.