Richard! Darling! How have you been?

His mother's voice gushed from the other end and Richard smiled broadly.

I'm perfectly fine, mother.

He replied.

Are you eating well? Oh! How is the butler? Is he fine? Doing his duties well?

Richard chuckled and placed a kiss on his 'butler's' neck before answering.

Yes mother, he's more than fine. And he's doing his duties really well.

His mother failed to catch the underlying meaning but all she was satisfied with was that her son sounded happy over the line, a rare occurrence.

I'm glad. Take care, okay? I love you.

I love you too, ma. And thank you.

For what?

For Carrin.