Rikki gave him a sheepish sort of smile, looking over at him. "Well," she countered, drawing the word out, a little higher pitched than her normal voice. "There are a handful of people back home who know. But yeah, we've had loads of close calls. It's hard sometimes."

She realized belatedly that she'd been telling him the story to help distract him from his upset and that she'd nearly unwittingly outed Cleo while doing it. She'd only just managed to leave names out of the story. Her stomach clenched with discomfort at that. What if she did slip up? Rikki was sure Cleo would forgive her the error, given the reason it had happened. She looked over at Ben. "Please keep that story between us, yeah?" If he thought Cleo was ignorant to it, then maybe that would buy her friend more time to tell him on her own if she ever felt so inclined.

Her eyes moved back to Klaus's face on the wall. "D'you want to go for a swim?" she asked, looking back at Ben once more. It was what always helped her relax. It likely wouldn't have the same effect for Ben, but one never knew. Maybe it would. "Or we could just stay here a little longer. Whatever you want, mate."