She smiles encouragingly at him slinking closer, keeping her hand out for him.

"Heine? No, it was not Heine who told me." She bites back the urge to launch immediately into asking who Heine is, curious as she is about anything in his world other than Mother.

"The explanation is complicated, for it involves magic and travelling through time, but the very short answer is that one day you will tell me when you are grown."

She stands slowly, not wanting to startle him, always smiling and watchful just in case he turns or bolts.

"I will tell you all about how I will become your friend in the future, but first shall we eat? I am sure you will enjoy sitting down for a meal."