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“Yes, I do,” said Giles “Harry Clifton is one of the finest n to have the author Anatoly Babakov released”

The official handed Giles back his passport, opened the drawer of his desk, and placed the visa inside

Giles stood up and, without another word, turned and , to find it had started raining again He began the long walk back to the West, wondering if he would ever see Karin again

SEBASTIAN CLIFTON

1970

24

“DID YOU EVER e?” asked Sebastian as they sat drinking on the veranda

“Not more than once a week, if my memory still serves me,” said Ross Buchanan “Mind you, I’ve improved a little over the years, but not much”

“But did you ever retted it for the rest of your life?” asked Seb, not touching the brandy by his side

Ross didn’t reply immediately, because he knew only too hat Seb was referring to “Nothing I haven’t been able to , “Are you absolutely convinced you can’t win her back?”

“I’ve written to her several times, but she never replies I’ve finally decided I’ll have to go to A me a second chance”

“And there hasn’t been anyone else?” said Ross

“Not in that way,” said Sebastian “The occasional fling, too ht stands, but frankly Sam was the only woman I loved She didn’t care if I was penniless I stupidly did Did you ever have that problem, Ross?”

“Can’t pretend I did When I s, and four pence in my personal account, but then you weren’t allowed an overdraft if you worked as a clerk for the Aberdeen Shipping Company So Jean certainly didn’t marry me for my money”

“Lucky man Why didn’t I learn froh to close a deal”