"He was supposed to be visiting a girl in England but once he got there and realized how expensive everything is, he bought a ticket to Thailand," said Dr. Jones, discussing his son, Paul, with an old friend over coffee. "He leaves on Sunday for Bangkok."

"Poor girl. She must be so upset. Though maybe he was really doing her a favour by disappointing her sooner than later…" Karen replied, referring to the trail of broken-hearted women she'd heard about in Paul's year-long travels.

The doctor looked pained. "Ouch. That's not fair, Karen. Okay, maybe it is fair but it isn't nice. This is my baby boy we're talking about."

"You would prefer me to lie to you?" she queried. "Because I could do that if you preferred. Here we go. 'Any woman should consider herself lucky to have her heart smashed by your young Valentino." Karen cockily arched one eyebrow, inviting the doctor to challenge her "kinder" comment.

"You're never going to get over him breaking up with your Melanie, are you?" Dr. Jones asked resignedly.

"Actually, no."

"Well, there we are then. So, what is the lovely Melanie up to these days?" He looked hopeful.

"You're changing the subject," she accused.

"I sure am," he replied. "I hear she won some sort of scholarship..."

Motherly pride swarmed over her indignation, "It was a fellowship actually…" and the two friends chatted on, the moment of awkwardness forgiven if not forgotten.