"Ah hello then. Afternoon boys." John hung his coat and ran a hand over his chin. Damn 5o'clock. Manly. Too manly? Had his raging manliness been what turned Caroline, in the end? And how was he supposed to help that? Judith seemed to enjoy him. Gillian, that little vixen, too. No. His virility was an asset not to be questioned.

"Dad." Lawrence did not look up from the Xbox.

"Hello, Mr. Elliott." Angus gave a courteous glance. Insufferably sweet boy, but at least well mannered.

"All through, with studying?"

"We're just taking a break."

"But you will – finish, whatever it is you're supposed to finish? Lawrence - your mother, relentless as she is - keeps tabs on me keeping tabs on you. And well, you know, if this arrangement here, if you start slipping with your grades, both our heads will roll."

"Yep."

"It's just – um - that I need to be sure - Lawrence."

"Ah lay off would you Dad – it's fine. Really. Seriously – we've been at it like dogs, haven't we Angus? And Mum's already got your rocks in a jar, so don't worry about her clipping you now."

'Perhaps I did not give Caroline quite enough credit, with Lawrence.'

"Ah, OK. Very well, then – carry on." No arguing with that. He wandered into the kitchen and to the fridge, where he was pleased to see Lawrence hadn't been pillaging the beer.

John flopped down next to the boys on the sofa. He turned abruptly.

"I'm not in your business, Lawrence. I mean, your education is somewhat my business as well. And seriously, I think you understand that I, well you and I, we will never hear the end of it from that woman if she suspects me of, you know, 'shirking my duties.'" He threw in quotes added for effect. "Good lord man she might even call the police on me. I wouldn't put it past her."

"Ya – that hot lady copper she's shagging. How can we get her at the door?" Lawrence turned to Angus for a celebratory high five.

"Dear God. The very thought." John gave a look of disgust, one which did not quite convince Angus or Lawrence of his offense.

"So what's for dinner?"

"Great question. I'm sure there's some sort of nutritious bounty to be plundered from the cupboard. Angus, you joining us?"

"Ah, no Mr. Elliott. Got to be home in an hour 'r so."

"Very good then. Just the Elliott boys, alone – together, foraging and surviving on their whiles in the urban diaspora."

"Ah, ya sure, Mr. Elliott."

"I'll be in the kitchen then. Foraging." John stood with flourish and made his way to the other end of the flat.

Angus threw himself backward on the couch. "Your Dad's hilarious. I mean, consistently."

"Yep. Always."

"Is your Mum really shagging that lady cop who collared you?"

"I dunno. Hope so. If she's going to be a lesbian. I'd move home if she were in the house."

Still no eye contact as they advanced through the game.

"Ya, right? Anyway she seems like she's not wound so tight, right now."

"Ya. It's a nice change of pace. Having dinner with her, gran n Alan, over there, sometime this week. I'm actually not completely dreading it. I mean, she can cook. Better than Dad. He fancies himself a chef – but Jesus half of everything's almost raw or way over. Anyway, you should come. Maybe we'll get the scoop on Jane."

"Cool."

Caroline's phone buzzed on her desk. Outside winter was making its way forward. But the recent dump of heavy snow was quickly melting off. The sun sparkled and gave pale light as leaf buds began to think of emerging on the trees, daring to cast off winter yet again.

"Hello John."

"Ah – yes hello, Caroline. Of course it's me."

"Of course." Caroline spun in her chair to face the window and leaned back. She took off her glasses and closed her eyes.

"Yes, well how are you?"

"I'm quite well, thank you."

"Good. Good then. I am as well."

"Glad to hear it. How can I help you?"

"Just calling about this week, I was planning on dropping Lawrence off Wednesday afternoon, he mentioned Celia and Alan would be joining you, specifically, em, for dinner?"

"Yep."

"Ah, OK, well, you know, I thought it might, might be a good opportunity to have some quality time, together. All of us."

Caroline sat up in her chair. "Yes. I see. Well, that would not be my thought."

"Ah OK. I see. Are you sure? I mean, it's been a while now, since we all sat down and 'broke bread' as it were. Shared a meal."

"I am blissfully aware of that."

"There's no need to be rude, Caroline. I was just – "

Caroline quickly interrupted. "Just inviting yourself over to my home, to serve you dinner?"

"Well, now, I don't think that's quite, quite an accurate interpretation."

"I think it's perfectly accurate, John. You are a grown man. You are capable of feeding and entertaining yourself. That's not my job anymore."

"Well then I see. I'll just, not come over then."

"Yep. Correct. Do not come over."

"Ah, OK. OK – then, I suppose, chat later."

"Bye bye John." She signed off cheerfully and abruptly.

'How I love not being beholden to that man.'