[Of course, what kind of surrogate big brother would he be if he couldn't pick up on that forced cheerfulness? Maybe there was something he could do after all, even if it was just being here for Mileina. He stepped to the side with a nod and a reassuring smile.]

Ah, I understand. Sure, then, come in. I'm at a bit of a loose end too; there's not much to do during a lockdown, huh?