We want to celebrate as a family.”

“Derek will be joining us for lunch at half past one,” my father added.

“He drove in from the city this morning.”

“His company was featured in a regional trade journal last month,” my mother said, her tone smooth and measured.

“He’s been working sixteen-hour days.”

“That’s a heavy schedule,” I said.

“It is,” she agreed at once.

“It must be satisfying to reach a point in your career where your authority is settled.”