"She sounds like one hell of a woman." It's the absolute truth, even if it's tinged with a wisp of envy, an echo of grief. Susan admires no-nonsense women, women who'll stand up for themselves and never mind what comes of it. The kind of woman she wants to be.

She smiles faintly, her eyes fixing on a point a little way over his head - it's probably safer than looking him in the eye. "Sounds like you're as lucky to have her as she is to have you."

Maybe that's cruel. It definitely makes her own stomach twist, and she's sure it'll feel worse for him than for her, being reminded of it. But she needs to remind him, needs to remind herself, that he'd be a fool to take what she's offering. What she's trying very hard not to offer.