Clara looks over at her and shakes her head, letting out a breath.

"Mum died and then my dad sort of fell apart. Someone had to look after him and my nan. And then by the time they were okay again I'd lost someone else. Then I got bitten by the time travel bug. I did go back to school in between losses though, got a teaching degree."

She smiles, very gently nudging Shephard's shoulder. "So I'm not totally useless."