[ She nods and manages, with a bit of effort, to give him a fierce, proud smile. It's sad to think of a world where the people she loves most are miserable. But maybe this is why she's here. Maybe, just maybe, she's been pulled into this world to give a sad, tired man a little spark of hope. ]

I suppose I should say you're welcome, then. But it feels a bit strange to be thanked for doing nothing but being here.

[ ... then she looks around, takes in the beach with a wrinkled nose. ]

... where is 'here'?