Tess noticed Simon's little start immediately and pressed a hand to her heart in apology. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle. Paper Gift. It looks more impressive than it is."
She ate her soup slowly as Simon launched into his textured description of the clock, nodding along, her eyes lit up a little. "I've seen it!" she enthused when he'd finished. "Though not all the faces. I guess I didn't look that close. Must be real convenient to everybody, though. Hard to make excuses about bein' late if there's a bigass clock lookin' down at you."