It's a greater distance than she'd planned on traveling. She doesn't even have cab or train fare on her, and taking the Beast with her might be a bit complicated. Of course, not taking the Beast with her can be complicated, too. The creature has been allowed to accompany her to work because he's well behaved and it keeps him happy (and probably because everyone is a bit terrified of what he'd get up to if he suddenly stopped being happy and well behaved). They aren't really used to being separated for any great lengths of time... but she's managed before, with the old one. If she explained things, surely the Beast would be all right with spending a few hours in the flat without her.

Although then there's Aglet. She might be all right leaving the Beast at home, and the Beast might not mind, but the Borrower probably would. Damn. Well, she'll cross that bridge when she comes to it. Aglet ought to understand the importance of helping someone else his size, anyway.

"If it's too far for me, what's it for you?" she asks, eyebrows raised. "I don't have cab fare or anything on me, but we could swing by my flat and get some. I'd rather do that than leave you out here to be eaten by a hawk or something."