"I am quite well. Just been a long week; what with the strangeness, battling Gods of Nightmares, slaying dragons, putting the town back to rights and making funeral arrangement."

"Ah, yes. Dr Constantine is dead. That must be painful." I examine the cookies she has put out. "Did he die well?"

"And how have you been. It's been a while since we've seen you."

"I keep busy," I say, with a wintry sort of smile.

"He's not a piece of furniture to be owned. He was the option to leave whenever he wants."

"Really." I sip my tea and smile. "I wonder if Rose would agree. She brought him into being, after all." I doubt she would let go of this father substitute so easily.