"That's sad to hear. I do hope it is running again soon." Polite chitchat. Zoe had been working on that for some time. She hated doing it, but it seemed to now be part of her life. Alfred stepped back and coughed softly, almost excusing himself. Zoe looked at Alfred as he started to walk away. This wasn't awkward.
"I suppose he'll call us when it's ready." She gave Dinah a slight smile then looked around. She had never found this place overly comfortable. It was too large and too empty for her liking. Sometimes even her apartment felt that way; traveling in the Black did that to people she supposed.
"Oh, my plants." As if she were remembering the question. "They'd do better if I was home to water them more."