The Peacock 1408

I must right now have the face of a frightened rabbit as I look stupidly at my old friend. "What brings you here today?" I have not yet had time to reach for my phone. "I was in the neighbourhood", say I. "I hope I'm not interupting your meeting." "We're finished now. Cynthia and Nicole and I are just orientating a visitor from the Netherlands who is going to provide us some professional mentoring." "Cynthia is coming out to my place for lunch today. At two." I don't know why I'm telling him this, as though I owe explanations. "She might want to take the bus with you, then." "It's all right. I have my car with me..."