My father worked too much, which was my conclusion as to why he never had time to see me. This time, however, was going to be different. I’d tried to see him on three separate occasions during the past two weeks and each time his servants informed me that he was not available. I marched into the study ready for an argument – in fact I was looking forward to it.

"But Madam, your father told me not to let anybody in," said my father's butler.

"You will inform my father that his daughter wishes to see him, and that she is most insistent," I replied, knowing full well that I sounded like a stuck up bitch.

"I will try Madam, I will try," he said, walking off towards my father’s laboratory.

I wasn't about to let him go in alone. I followed him, making sure he didn't see me, and once he had used the combination on the lab door, I pushed past him and yelled “Father!”

"Madam, you can't..."

"Forget it Giles, I am going to see my father whether he wants me to or not."

"Cathy, what do you want?"

I turned to find my father behind his desk.

"It’s OK Giles, leave us alone, will you?" he said, in his most authoritative voice.

Giles sighed, and then turned and left the room.

"Well Cathy, what's so important it can't wait a while?" said my father.

"If your own daughter cannot see you, then what is the point of having one? I mean its not unreasonable for a daughter to want to see her father on occasion," I said, ready for any argument he may present.

"You're right, I have been thoughtless, and for that I am sorry. My work has consumed my every waking moment, in the past few weeks, and I have neglected you in the name of science. Will you forgive me?"

I wasn't expecting that, so for the first time today I was stuck for words. Getting a grip on myself, I leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"You're forgiven," I finally said. "Now what's so important that you felt it had to take up all your time?" I asked.

He went on to explain what he had found on his recent visit to the Amazon temple ruins. Apparently he had found a large stone table with a very intricate mosaic of what he could only guess was an old forgotten language. He then took me over to his workroom where he kept his most important studies. There I saw the stone table he’d been telling me about.

"This is it.