'I'm glad in any case that you've decided to come back,' my father said. 'More

than a short visit, I hope.'

 

'I'm not sure what my plans will be.'

 

'I for one am prepared to forget the past. Your mother too was always ready to

welcome you back - upset as she was by your behaviour.'

 

'I appreciate your sympathy. As I say, I'm not sure what my plans are.'

 

'I've come to believe now that there were no evil intentions in your mind,' my

father continued. 'You were swayed by certain -influences. Like so many others.'

 

'Perhaps we should forget it, as you suggest.'

 

'As you will. More tea?'

 

Just then a girl's voice came echoing through the house.

 

'At last.' My father rose to his feet. 'Kikuko has arrived.'

 

Despite our difference in years, my sister and I had always been close. Seeing

me again seemed to make her excessively excited and for a while she did nothing

but giggle nervously.