Irene positively beamed. There was nothing more wonderful than receiving some affection, something she had lacked for fifteen years. She clasped the girl for a moment, relishing the human contact she had been denied for so long and knowing that Tabitha would never know how much it meant to her to have this type of interaction.
"You're very welcome, dear." she replied easily before disappearing through the doorway where she appeared to leave Tabitha to her own devices.