The lobby between the doors was quieter than the restaurant, quiet enough at least. Kyle could see the mother preparing to blow. He needed to get ahead of that.

"Hi, my name is Kyle. Just a friend of Fiona," he gestured back towards the tables. "And Phoebe. I'm sorry I didn't get your name," he said with a friendly smile to the mother.

"Beth."

"Beth, excellent. I think it would be good if we began with the understanding that Phoebe wasn't aware of you and the children. Right?" he said looking to Phoebe who shook her head. Kyle gave her a questioning look.

"No. I didn't know," she said quietly,...