John stared back, before finally shrugging. It wasn't like he knew how to talk to his mother after twenty-odd years, so what advice could he give Bobby? At least he was being polite and well, being himself in a sense.

"Oh, it's been fine, although not nearly as eventful as yours. Still, it's nice you appreciate all the effort Sinjin went to. When you get older, you find romance loses some of its appeal." In other words, boys, you're being adorably immature.

"And you're studying as well, from what I've been told? Accounting? Sinjin's father always had a wonderful mind for figures - he was a bank manager - but my son never took after him that way. I can remember Sinjin writing home about you, and the fact you could actually use numbers. We're all very grateful you've always looked out for him, Bobby, very thankful."