[ If she means to continue a conversation with this woman, Vanessa does want to encourage the spirit of cooperation, but her already pale complexion manages to still blanche at the offer. Hasn't she suffered enough in her lives? ]

I would like to relieve you of the burden, really, but I ate before taking to my morning work. I hope the taste of it won't tarnish your opinion of the Doctor. He's quite talented in other fields.

[ And, occasionally, he does make something surprisingly tasty. How is she to know what isn't a standard food of the future, the ancient past, or an alien world? ]

I am a bit more interested in your talents, though. You thought I was a witch?