While Tuck hunted for some clothes, Much went on a mission for a foot basin, and started filling it up with hot water from the kitchen, talking over his shoulder to Marcie the whole time and never letting her out of his sight for more than the moment it took to turn the taps on then off again. He grabbed a handtowel from the kitchen and threw it down under the basin where he placed it at her feet, then smiled at her with nervous pride. "There," he said. "Get those plates soaking."