A Lurker

A few minutes, later, Richard came down to join his mother and Debby at the dinner table where they laughed and chatted about the good old days.

Later after Debby bid them goodnight and left for her bedroom, Richard found some privacy to speak to his mum who seemed to have a lot on her mind.

"The last time we spoke on the phone before now, you mentioned that you had a girlfriend, is Debby the one?" his mother asked, looking at him with a smile.

Richard was stunned into speechlessness as his brows creased. He was beginning to wonder what part of his body language might have dropped that ridiculous hint.

"No!" he countered immediately. "She is not my girlfriend." Now, it was his mother's turn to be surprised as the smile on her face slowly disappeared.

"Really?' she probed, begging for some explanation.

A sigh escaped from Richard's lips. "Mum, please don't tell me you were treating her as my girlfriend when I left?" He begged for a 'no' but instead, he got the answer he didn't want.

"I