It took the other teacher a minute to notice him, her attention apparently so focused on Lyall that she missed the movement behind her. It was Lyall, looking over her shoulder and frowning in confusion at Alex's motions, that alerted her.

She jumped and glided, more than stepped, to the side, her face screwed up with exaggerated worry and apparent upset. But her voice was still slow and sad. "Oh, if you have company... I can come back... later."