'Hi Mom. Hate to admit, but you were right again. Less than a year after our wedding, Margaret left me - just as you predicted. But despite your forecast, not because she was half a head taller. She just didn't like me being away all the time, and claimed that even at home I spent too much time writing my articles and not paying enough attention to her. Now, she said, she was going to find somebody as far from journalism as one can possibly be.

But don't worry, Mom, I've already recovered. Actually, I think, she never loved me, only my career prospects, so I'm okay now. Meanwhile, Nick (you met him on my wedding) takes care of me. He just invited me on his birthday party in a few days time. He came back from Japan not long ago and has plenty of impressions to share, so I think I'll have fun and another good reason to get rid of my memories.

Kiss you and Dad. Yours, Rob.'

......................................................................

'Hi Mom. I'm all right, thank you. You don't need to come along, really. Of course, I'd love to see you here in London, but I'm gonna be damn busy in coming weeks. Can't even guarantee that I'll be here at all: all these Iraqi things may require my presence in the Middle East. Yes Mom, I promise to be very careful and make all precautions including vaccination and stuff, don't worry.

You do remember Nick well: indeed, he was the best man. His birthday party was a huge success, I should say; very good and warm Japanese sake, very good and warm company, including young ladies, so I didn't feel abandoned, believe me.

You'd be surprised, but several of those girls were models - not supermodels so far, but they have all their lives ahead and all essential features too.

Predicting your opinion, I'd like to say, they weren't stupid at all, in fact, they were charming and very intelligent whatever papers (shame on my colleges!) gossip. I hope, someday you'll meet one or two of them in person and, just like me, understand that stereotypes lie.

Okay Mom, gotta go. All the best to both of you. Rob.'

Robin sealed the envelope and left a cafe. Now, as he fulfilled his promise to write at least once a month, he felt relieved. Meanwhile, he was about to meet his old and new friends in half an hour.