Many young ladies I've met here are like that. I should just give up and go with the fashion on board, but it troubles me sometimes. More so with young ladies than with men. My apologies. I hate to feel as if I'm intruding or assuming a relationship that is not there. [All that is said without him once looking at the camera, when he does it's to ask:]

You're from England?

... inside the mind. Is that a turn of phrase?

I miss working in the garden. [And his shoulders slump, liking a pouting child.]