THIRTY-FOUR

"ALRIGHT, THAT will be all for today's meeting. And sorry again for waking you up this early," Doris said, bringing the meeting to a close with a resolute tone in her voice. Turning to Geneviève, she confidently delegated the remaining tasks to her, trusting that she would be able to handle them with ease.

The team leaders said their goodbyes and logged off the call, while Doris sat back and admired the smooth and efficient way in which the meeting had gone. Nothing gave pleasure than working with such a capable and competent team.

Doris stood from her seat and stretched her stiff joints, hearing the muffled cracking with every twist of her body.

She gasped as her eyes went to the direction of the clock. It was already nine. THE KIDS!

Hurriedly, she changed into her nghtdress and zoomed out of her room. And just when she was about to reach for the front door, it swung open abruptly and a frantic Nora charged in.

"Doris! It's. . . It's Dad!" She said in regular pa