Almost before he'd completely finished the question, Curnen was reacting to the gesture and she all but flew at him and latched on like a lost, scared child.

It had been her observation away from home that 'hug' to most people meant an awkward wrapping of arms, but there was rarely any real warmth or comfort in the gesture. Or maybe for other people that kind of real hug was only for family or something.

So she was probably holding on too tight, pressing too close, but she couldn't really bring herself to ease up. If she did, something in her was sure, she'd come shaking loose.