Sometimes, when you were stuck dealing with...feelings...you know, about...things...you had to put on as much armor between yourself and the world as possible. Like a pretty gown that made you feel powerful (check), and a flask of something, ahh, 'restorative' (also check).

"Oh very much, darling," she said airily. "I sadly cannot promise to stay, but I did at least want to settle in and have a cuppa before getting back to it."