�I really can�t stay� apologized Bill, �I have to be getting home.�

�It�s a pity� responded Claire, �but we�ll do this again some other time.�

�Sure� responded Bill as he headed out the door.

Strolling down the street Bill wondered what Joanne and the kids were doing at home. It was way too late to go to the ice-cream parlor and he tried to guess how much trouble he was in.

�I�ll make it up to them tomorrow� he rationalized.

Walking up the front yard, Bill noticed that the lounge light was still burning.

Joanne and the kids must be sitting down for dinner, he thought as he searched for his house key. Failing to find it, he knocked on the front door instead.

The door opened slowly and the figure of Joanne stood in the passageway with the light of the room bearing down from behind.