Inviting Jack Horner over for a movie broadcast-a-thon wasn't strictly within the usual scope of her behaviour; however, friends were gone and a lover was missing. House Seven was empty. Lonely. And the thought of inviting the whole village into her living room via the journal might not have been her instinctive action-plan, but she wasn't about to refuse. It was better than sulking. But it did mean she had to try not to talk loudly at the television whenever she stumbled across wry commentary or criticism.

Instead, she saved up all her words for the aftermath -- holding her tongue until Horner was done with his journal conversations. Then, as she tidied up empty M&M packages and beer bottles (including her still very nearly full one): "You did well to cast Brad. I approve of Brad."

Glass clinked in her arms and the sound reminded her of the bar. They would both have to head in that direction sooner rather than later.