He came to a theory that it was because most people got together with family or friends, and as a result those without family could feel as if they we...re outcasts from society on that day.He sighed and decided to find a restaurant or a hotel and stay there over the festive period. At least he would be among other folk. He had hardly made up his mind to do that, when his phone rang.It was Bridget McLeod.“Victor,” she sang in her Scottish lilt, “James and I were talking about your visit, and your. Jim and I had Marcus the next year, and Tammy two years later. Both were very successful at their chosen professions and when Jim’s grandfather wanted to sell his old cabin on the lake Jim and Brian bought it together. We spent many pleasant weekends fixing the place up until it was a nice little vacation home.She sniffled and I took her hand in mine. “You can stop if you want.”“No, it’s all right. We were all going up for a long weekend. Brian was caught up in a trial that ran late and I had a. She was grinning and laughing at the story, particularly about Marty having to go out to throw up. Then I said, ‘Nancy, Marty and I wanted to give you ten percent of the money we got from your Mom’s car.’ ‘What?’ She sat very still and her eyes looked down at the check as I slid it over the table to her. She stared at it and seemed afraid to touch it in case it would go up in smoke. ‘How much?’ She asked me. ‘Just tell me. I don’t have my glasses.’ I grinned at her, ‘Two hundred and forty-two. We couldn’t wait to get back and find out what had happened. All afternoon we were talking about it, wondering how Jo would be if he left, how she and he would be if he stayed. I must admit it was a tense afternoon but Mike was wonderful really. We strolled along the promenade in Stresa watching the young couples holding hands. ‘Aren’t they lovely,’ he said looking at them. ‘I love it here this time of the year. They’re all so young, so in love.’ He sighed. Oh dear, he was getting maudlin.