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"Hi!" I say, and nod at his haul "You did well"

"Very well" He holds the bowl up "This is a very handsome piece"

"It was in Elle Decoration once," I tell hihter" He puts it slightly aardly under his arm "So you’re off to America tomorrow"

"Yes Tomorrow afternoon After I’ve paid a small trip to your friend John Gavin"

A wry smile passes over Derek Smeath’s face

"I’m sure he’ll be pleased to see you" He extends his hand as best he can to shake et on"

"I will," I say, s"

He nods, and then walks off into the night

I stay outside with Suze for quite a ti each other howthe s a bin liner full of clothes, soot the invitations with the twinkly pizza slices Just as I’et cold, a voice hails us from the stairs

"Hey," calls Tarquin "It’s the last lot D’you want to coarette "You’ve got to see the last thing go What is it?"

"I don’t know," I say as wemask, perhaps?"

But as alk back into the roo up e scarf Shi blue, silky velvet, overprinted in a paler blue, and dotted with iridescent beading

I stand staring at it, with a growing tightness in ht it How desperately I wanted it How Luke lentit for my aunt

The way he used to look atblurry, and I blink hard, trying to keep control ofat it in distress "Keep one thing, at least"