"Hi," Kent said, looking really uncomfortable.

"And this must be Juls," he grinned, extending his hand for a shake, and I shook it. His firm handshake suggested he did that a lot. He was nice but quite intimidating. He clearly ran things from top to bottom.

"Pleased to meet you," I replied.

"Well, Astrid has been talking my ear off about my son's girlfriend," he smiled, and I nodded. "I'm glad you could join us."

"I'm glad too."

"Son, I had something to talk to ...