"Well, the most important thing was to find a good cook and, to be honest, I poached my first. I was hoist in the end though," he chuckled. "He got to...reckon he was God's gift to the catering business and left me after three years for a big hotel in Bournemouth as a sous-chef. He earned more than I paid him but he was no longer his own boss. He asked me for his job back eighteen months later but by then I'd found your friend, Gareth, and he, poor fool, has stayed with me ever since other than. Instead of sitting, she surprised him by slipping her hands around his waist and tilting her face up to his. He felt her breasts brush upward against his torso as she raised herself up on her toes, her intention perfectly clear. It was an invitation he wasn’t about to turn down. Obliging, he bent his head and leaned into the soft kiss that was waiting for him. ‘I guess I’m a bit short for this.’ she whispered, smiling against his lips. He straightened to his full height and looked down at her. She must not had even looked up. His heart sank. Theydidnt even realize he was not their son anymore. They were too involvedwith their own life to see their son. A tear fell from his eye as hejumped into the shower.Then he wrapped a towel around himself and made it to his sistersbedroom to select something to wear for the day. He opened her closetand found her jeans, the various dresses and her tops. He was bewilderedby the choices a girl had at clothing. He didnt know. He selected a pairof hip. Doug swallowed the last drop of his drink, a double rum, and stood back up. "I'm sorry Mr. Gardner, Mary, I have an appointment at the bank - it was postponed from this morning." It was as arranged, this meeting and his quick departure."Oh?" Mary looked confused at being abandoned, but not surprised I noticed.I stood and shook hands with Doug, smiling at Mary, "I think I can keep Mary company for the next hour or so - would that be fine?"My smile must have reassured her, that and since I was.