"Because, darling, I simply left you behind because you were a useless bundle and I had my career to worry about. I will not apologise for being a career woman." She stopped in front of him now, running a hand through his hair and sorting it a little. Silly little hairstyle he insisted on, but it could not be helped. "I have to say, you went through a rough patch but you are turning out decent looking for a man."

She was very pleased with that. "Dearie, all I want is to provide well for myself. And you, now that you're here." She gestured to the men who were currently carrying in the bigger pieces of furniture, four of them working on one very sizeable bed and hauling it up the stairs. "You're about to no longer be useless, son. I'll teach you everything about that."