*becomes aware, by degrees, that he's walking with you again but you've got your arm around him and why are you doing that with all these people—* I...? *oh. right.*
*continues outside, inwardly giving himself a bit of a pep talk, reminding himself that he knew what he was doing, that this was really the most sensible way, just to get it over with, and now people know and they'll see it's not a big deal and now he can laugh about how ridiculous it is that anyone cares anyway but he will be happy to tell them very nicely and eloquently to mind their own business if they feel like prying*
*like that guy there, who has the gall to ask whether they're looking for a taxi* Erm.