Ernie smiled gently, taking his arm and wrapping it around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him. He didn't take the time to over-think whether or not it was attention that she might not want because he was more concerned with the fact that she looked like she was about to cry.
"Think...think of it as potential good news though, Hazel. Maybe Michelle did escape into France. Maybe she's safe," he replied, his voice soft and gentle. "If they had been attacked, don't you think that's the sort of thing they'd brag about? If they were anything but fine, we'd know about it."