While Caroline was coming down the stairs carrying a basket of dirty laundry the cell phone in her pocket started to ring. She waited until she reached the bottom of the stairs to shift the basket to one hand and answer the call with her other. She smiled when she saw Nicola's name appear.

"Hello there."

"Hi Caroline. I just wanted to hear your voice. What are you doing?" Nicola inquired.

Caroline was now making her way to the washing machine. She put the basket on the floor in front of it and replied, "Living the dream. How about you?"

Nicola was turning off her computer and tucking her chair under her desk. She did a final sweep of her office to make sure she wasn't leaving anything behind she needed to review before Monday. "About the same. I'm just wishing we had plans for this weekend. Seriously, what are you up to?"

"I'm afraid that if I tell you, you'll think my life is far too glamorous," she responded with a chuckle. "I'm sorting Lawrence's dirty laundry and trying to decide if some of it should just be tossed as I suspect no amount of bleach will ever make it white again. A couple of weeks away at rugby camp and everything is the color of mud. I think some of his clothes could stand up on their own."

"It may sound funny but I remember and sort of miss those days. When the kids would come back from summer camp they would actually sit and talk with us for the first day or two until they remembered they were too cool for that sort of thing. Did he have a good time?"

"I think so but frankly he's barely taken his head out of the refrigerator long enough to tell me about it."

"How did Flora make out at the doctor yesterday?"

"Perfect. She's right on track for this well visit. She got one vaccine. Seems like she's tolerating it well—no fever like the last time. How's your dad?"

"We had his care conference the other day and he's holding his own. Apparently there is a female resident on his floor who sits and reads to him most afternoons. I think it's been good for him as he hates daytime television."

"That's sweet. What do you think about it?"

"He used to be a big reader and now he can't hold a book still enough to read so it's a win-win," she reflected. "Can you break away tomorrow to meet for lunch somewhere?"

"Much as I'd like to, I don't think so. Lawrence has been away for a while and I really should not abandon him his first weekend home," she replied with disappointment in her voice. "He's already given me his lunch and dinner requests for the next two days. While I'm not always sure he loves me, at least I know he loves my cooking."

"I figured it was a long shot but you can't blame a girl for trying, " an equally disappointed Nicola responded.

"I've been thinking about our next planned get together in two weeks," Caroline said. "I know we said it would just be a day trip, but I found a little spa there and thought it could be fun to stay overnight and treat ourselves to massages. What do you think?"

"Can you get away that long," Nicola asked, trying to keep the excitement out of her voice.

"Greg's parents were so thrilled with their visit with Flora that he's asked if I mind him taking her again. I think it's what Kate would have wanted so I've said yes. Lawrence is going out of town with Angus' family that weekend so my schedule is suddenly open. What do you say?"

"You had me at massage. Do you think we can get in at this late date?"

"Let's hang up and I'll see what I can arrange. I'll ring you back with the verdict," a buoyant Caroline suggested.

"I'm about to get in the car to head home. Why don't you email me the details and I'll ring you back later to say goodnight."

"Deal. Talk to you later."