53 Mothers are always the keepers of family information

"Just ignore it," Antonia smiled, "They know where you are, and we were having such a good time, plus I am sure Ben knows where we are, they will come to make sure I have not made you cry."

"You have been a fabulous lunch date," Changying smiled, "I haven't felt more relaxed with a stranger than you made me feel, which is not like me at all usually," She looked down at her bag as the phone stopped ringing yet again.

"So now that you know who I am, tell me honestly why did you leave your last job if you were so happy there?" Antonia asked her original question again.

"It was a combination of things really," Changying hedged but she had already told the woman so much and she had an inkling she knew part of the story anyway. "Wang and I had started dating but this woman in the office who is beautiful and used to getting what she wanted... she recounted the bullying, the promotion, what Wang had said and then the final confrontation with the woman.

"And how did the woman find out about your secret relationship, you said you were so careful," Antonia pressed.

"I think someone who was a mutual acquaintance with Wang and herself told her," Changying didn't want to blame Baozhai in case it caused a family problem.

"You know the person but you don't like to blame, is that it?" Antonia looked at her shrewdly.

"I don't think they knew the harm it would do," she said softly in response, "and well look at me now, I have never been happier." Changying smiled genuinely happy with her life, "So if they were trying to hurt me it sort of backfired on them. Don't tell Dan or Lio but I would have done this job for free in my spare time I enjoy it so much." She took a sip of her wine and on a topic she loved she said tentatively, "Can I ask you some things about family that could help me with the research I am doing?"

Antonia laughed at the girl's enthusiasm and nodded taking a sip of her drink, "Perhaps another day, when we have more time, I expect my sons will be here to scold me soon." Her laugh was warm and generous, and Changying laughed softly with her. "Put your number into my phone, and I will call you and you can ask as many questions as you like," she passed her phone to Changying and continued her laugh.

"Mothers and grandmothers are always the keepers of family information, they know everything!" Changying lowered her voice, "Despite what their husbands think." To which, Antonia laughed so hard she had tears forming in her eyes as she nodded enthusiastically and called for another bottle of wine. It was about that moment that Ben and Wang arrived to find them roaring with laughter and clinking their glasses together like life-long friends.

"Hello Ladies," Ben said jovially, "Having a good time are we?"

"Benedicto! Come join us," she made a face which was dark and surly, she lapsed into Italian again, "You too Wah-wah. Stop pouting I haven't traumatised the girl, yet."

"I really need to learn Italian," Changying giggled and smiled up at Wang, "Did she just call you Wah-wah?"

"When Maryann was little she couldn't say Wang, so she just called him Wah-wah, so anytime he pouts we call him that," Ben explained helpfully as Wang kissed his mother's cheek and took a seat.

"I haven't laughed this much in an age," Antonia took a tissue form her bag and dabbed at her eyes. The waiter arrived with the new bottle of wine and seeing their companions two extra glasses.

"Maybe some coffee or at least some water," Wang suggested to Changying and she was about to agree automatically until Antonia cut into the small silence.

"Don't be silly, pour the wine. I need to go powder my nose, help me will you Bene?" she held out her hand to him.

"Of course, Mama," he took her hand and helped her up escorting her across the room.