"Okay," Sam says brightly, then returns to her colouring. The confirmation that Sookie will come back is enough for her and Mathias thinks it should be enough for him, too. It's so much easier for a child, though, and although he doesn't doubt Sookie, he doubts his ability to impress her at all or make her want to return.

"I can be myself," he says, instead of any of the thoughts running through his mind, any of the worries that he's suddenly imagining. There's no sense doing this, making himself so nervous that he begins to stumble over words or falls too quiet altogether. "I'll walk you to the door," he offers, pushing back from the colouring, not only to be polite but because he wants to see her for just a moment without Sam watching. He has nothing to hide from her, nothing he's ashamed of, but he isn't sure what she might think if he kisses Sookie, even if it's only on the cheek.