"I did not!" Ian defensively said down the telephone. Barbara merely laughed.

"We're going to get breakfast," she continued once the short, soft laughter had subsided, "I only wanted to check in and let you know we'd arrived safely. We'll be home in a week or so, I'll call you from the airport and let you know what time we get in. I love you."

Ian mirrored the farewell and hung up. Barbara listened to the dead line for a beat longer, then carefully put the receiver back on its cradle.

"Right. You mentioned breakfast?"