Ronald it sounds to me like you are carrying a lot of sadness in your heart. Remember, Lottie has probably protected Claire’s “little secret” since the end of the third Bad Machinery story (there is no way over the years she hasn’t worked it out, and Sonny doubtless told her too) and is always there for her. I think in the context of a loving friendship, there is room for a bit of impishness.

For reference, these few pages cover the matter:
https://scarygoround.com/badmachinery/index.html?pg=370#showComic