Silk-organza and Ilde go together like wine and bad decisions - frequently at the same time, although not tonight, not when she's waiting on news. Over the past few weeks she's discovered that social niceties are significantly more challenging without the wine, and there is a certain element of terribly earnest fluster about her manner that she'd ordinarily fix just that way.

A hug helps, in its place; a little affection has always gone a (worryingly) long way with her.

“Thank you! I was aiming for fabulous, I thought it'd be nice to complement you.” See how smoothly she made that into a compliment for Irene. Clearly she is fine at socializing sober. “I brought you this,” she adds, offering the box when they separate again. “Should I put it somewhere or do you want to open it?”