“Don't take it too far, Mrs. Suresh. I thought we were family, and you should let me know that she is leaving for school.”
She walked to the vacant chair and sat down before she agreed, “You are right for thinking that way. We are supposed to let you know.” 
“It is all right. Where is the school if I may ask?”
Now, Ann was through with the other person and joined them. She sat beside her mother and answered, “Belgium.”
“Yes. University of Ghent,” her mother concurred.
Instantly, he had some butterflies in his stomach, but concealed them. The distance by flight to Belgium from Christchurch was six hours and he considered it too far.
“Why are you going to Belgium when they have a campus in Birmingham?”
“That is the campus I was posted to.”
“Maybe it is because she applied late,” her mother chipped in.
Nevertheless, he composed himself and complimented her, “Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Supervisor, for your understanding.”
“You are welcome,” he said and ordered his food.
While eating, he mulled over their discussions, “Birmingham is just a 45-minute flight. How can she travel that far because she applied late? I will plead with the Major to see if he can assist with the transfer.”
 Tim's House
The old man had taken Ella's absence in his stride and was stable. He assumed that Ella gave him food through Francis, and he ate it happily with that understanding.
Above all, he was happy to have the boys around him. They returned from school the previous day, lightened the house, and boosted his spirit. Now, Tim had been thinking about how he would be involved with Stephanie's birthday without being noticed. That afternoon, they were having their lunch when an idea flashed through his mind.
“How will you repay Stephanie for her gesture to you during your birthday,” he asked Samuel.
“Who is Stephanie,” they asked at once 
“The lady host during your party,” he explained and focused on them.
“That is a good one. We completely forgot,” Gerald said.
“What do we give to her?” Samuel asked him.
“If you know her birthday or wedding anniversary, it will be ideal to gift her anything you have at that celebration,” the old man pointed out and it was a good idea.
On mentioning the wedding anniversary, Tim was disoriented, 'Who told you that she is married?' he mumbled jealously.
To rob it in, Samuel asked the old man, “Is she married?”
The question was of emotional importance to Tim and he waited anxiously for the old man's response.
At that point, Tim's phone rang and everyone paused and faced him. He felt disturbed and furrowed his brow.
“Who is calling?” He asked aloud and picked up his phone.
Instantly, a smile flashed through his face and he said, “It is the Head of State.”
The old man heaved a sigh and continued eating. The boys did the same thing, but their interest was in their conversation.
“Hello, Your Excellency. How may I help you?” 
“Hello, Tim. How are you?”
“I'm fine, Your Excellency. And you?”
“I'm good. Ask your brother-in-law to resume work tomorrow.”
“I got it, Your Excellency. I will inform him.”
“Thank you and have a great day.”
“You are welcome. Have a pleasant day too.”
The call ended and they looked expectantly at him. He kept the phone aside and announced, “You will resume work tomorrow, Gerald.”
“Yes!” Gerald raised his two hands and exclaimed joyously.
“The holiday is short. Why does he want him to resume?” 
“He is aware of that. Maybe he will be useful to him during the celebration?”
“It is possible.”
Samuel looked at Gerald's happy face and complimented him, “Congratulations. But I will miss you.”
“Thank you. You have the old man with you. So you won't be bored.”
“Congratulations, Gerald. You are right but we will miss you,” the old man pointed out.
Tim had not gotten what he wanted to hear concerning Stephanie's birthday and he called their attention, “You were saying something about Stephanie's birthday.”
“Yes, Old man. Is she married?”
The man vacillated because he was unaware of the right answer, but Gerald came to his rescue, “He was at your birthday and not your wedding anniversary. Let us concentrate on her birthday.”
“I go with Gerald. Let's leave her wedding anniversary out of it,” Tim declared and they agreed.
Their meeting began to gather momentum at that point, and Samuel asked, “When is her birthday?”
There was silence and Tim pretended not to know. After waiting for the answer and getting none, Samuel declared, “I will ask Big Brother to find out for us.”
“That will suffice,” they answered simultaneously and continued with their food.
The Complex
The results of the promotional exams had been released and the shortlisted candidates were eligible for promotion. That day, they took their promotion packets, which included their photo in class A uniform, to the board. The other managers were happy because the promotion of the three was to their advantage. It shows that their organization was doing well.
After lunch, George returned to his office and worked for a short while. He was so euphoric about the promotion and could not concentrate on anything and decided to close for the day.
“You can close for the day,” he informed Bright and Gilbert when he walked out of his office.
They were excited to hear that and looked at his happy face.
“It is my treat. I'm closing for the day as well,” he said.
“Thank you, Boss,” Bright appreciated him with glee.
“I am grateful, Sgt. Young,” Gilbert declared and he walked away.
Seeing Laura's face when he got to the lobby almost ruined his day but he ignored her and faced his team members who were already standing.
“Let's go,” he announced and they moved on.
When they got to the car park, he informed them, “We are closing for the day.”
“I hope there is no problem?” Jerry asked him.
“Not at all,” he answered.
They got into the car and he informed Collins, “We are going to the mall.”
“I got it,” he said and turned on his ignition.
They got to the mall, and he was confused about the special thing that he could get for the family. As he was walking around, he saw Kilishi - A form of jerky from Africa, made from the dried meat of cows, sheep, or goats, seasoned, coated in peanut paste, and then roasted.
“This may be good,” he informed Jerry who was standing by his side.
“I have not tasted it before. But we can give it a try,” he responded and they bought it.