He looked her in the eyes, and said, "You flatter me, Ms Sma."

She returned his gaze, raising her chin a little, acutely aware of each nuance in her carefully translated body language. There was an expression on his face she did not think so childish, now. His eyes reminded her of the stone on her bracelet. She felt a little light-headed, and took a deep breath.

"Ahem."

She froze.

The word had been pronounced from behind and to one side of her. She saw Sussepin's gaze falter and shift.

Sma kept her expression serene as she turned, then glared at the grey-white casing of the drone as though attempting to melt holes in it.

" What?" she said, in a voice that might have etched steel.

The drone was the size — and near enough the shape — of a small suitcase. It floated in towards her face.

"Trouble, toots," it said, then moved briskly to one side, angling its body so that it appeared to be contemplating the inky heights of sky beyond the crystal semisphere.

Sma looked down at the brick floor of the arboretum, her lips pursed. She allowed herself the tiniest of shakes of the head.

"Mr Sussepin," she smiled, and spread her hands. This pains me, but… will you…?"

"Of course." He was already moving, and went quickly past, nodding once.

"Perhaps we can talk later," she said.

He turned, still backing off. "Yes; I'd… that would…" He seemed to lose inspiration, and nodded nervously again, walking quickly to the doors at the far end of the arboretum. He left without looking back.

Sma whirled round to the drone, which was now humming innocently and apparently staring into the depths of a gaudily coloured flower, its stubby snout half buried in the bloom. It noticed her and looked up. She stood with legs apart, put one fist on her hip and said, " " Toots"?"