Mandy ginned appreciatively. "Very true." There was an edge to Kat's voice when she spoke of her mother and the portrait, and not wanting to make her any more uncomfortable, Mandy let the subject drop.
Laughing, Mandy wondered at how much she'd missed having a female friend. She hadn't seen Lisa since Sixth Year and still hadn't been able to locate her oldest friend. Shaking off such depressing thoughts, she tuned in to what Kat was telling her about what she wanted to do.
A surge of pity and humility swam through Mandy at hearing the implication of money struggles. She still had no idea just how much money she had in the Brocklehurst estate, and she thought that it wasn't right for her to have so much that she simply didn't need, but others to have next to nothing and barely survive.
"What kind of books would you like to write?" she asked, while mentally going through all the possible ways she could find Kat a way to make more money while still keeping her dignity.