Despite his claim that they were not siblings anymore, her scolding brought back a sudden vivid memory of a time he had called her a rude word he had heard a drunk man shout at a his wife, and Jane's swift response had left his left ear glowing. In spite of himself, his features softened ever so slightly. He got up, grabbed a towel and started mopping up the mess he had made, while thinking about her - well, not quite a proposal - her statement.

He took his time, draping the wet towel over the grate by the kitchenette. Then he sat back down. "Lottie and I will come for tea," he countered. "There is plenty of time to meet the children later. I'd like you to meet my wife first."