"Something like that," she says in response to either comment, angling them both toward a table in the back corner. "I start early every day. Have since I got here. This place is fucked and I've been alone. Listen, I don't know if you picked up on this, but... I'm glad you're here." She avoids looking at him, keeping her head ducked down as she slides onto the stool and slumps onto the table. "This has been a real lonely fucker of a month."

She sighs heavily, massaging her temples through the fabric of her hijab, which is less neatly done up than usual. She's taken to wearing it looser here, not sure if that's because of the general attitude or because she's simply stopped giving a shit. Probably both.

"At the same time," she says, finally looking up at him, "I'm so sorry."