(...Hello! Is there anyone there?...Ed)
Ah! There you are. I was wandering. Good to see you again. Nice of you to drop in. Tea?
(...Two months, nearly, without sight, sound or sniff. I was beginning to worry to say nothing of the back pay! There are laws of employment, I'm told, contractual obligations...Ed)
Good of you to ask. I have been well and enjoying life. A brief holiday, most agreeable. Has much happened while I've been away- births, deaths, marriages -resignations, elections -plague, famine and war, rumours of war? So, not much change there then. Herself deplores starting every other sentence with so, so I thought I would give it a try. Can't have the Language Police rule our lives completely. So, I think it rather suits me. Takes twenty years off my prose if I am not mistaken!
I brought you back a little something. I know I shouldn't but you can't keep real life out of your work, I know. No need to say anything.
I am creating a substantial cultural legacy in these parts. I sing regularly in a little ensemble, the Barn Owls, We entertain in the local villages, quite a creative footprint now if you ask.
(Don't barn owls screech?...Ed)
There's the phone. Have to go, could be La Scala, they've been after me for weeks.
Soave sia il vento as we say in these parts!