"That's the rumour I've heard," Essery said, still smiling though there was something sympathetic behind it now. Obviously something was wrong. "Still don't believe it, though. You know rumours..."
She was closing the door when he spoke again, missed the change in his expression until she'd turned back to her, her back nearly against the door. Then she had the sudden feeling that too much blood was rushing to her head at once - he'd looked at her like that before.
"Gideon..." she started, then she shook her head. "No, you're not. What's this about?"