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‘Why do you think he asked you that?’ said Faulkner

‘Judges have been known to enuine remorse’

‘How genuine?’

‘If you were to hand over the Rubens to the Fitzmolean before Tuesday, I have reason to believe his lordship enuine act of contrition’

‘And what could I expect in return?’

‘Nourse is far too shrewd to give anything estion of a hint, but it’s in his power to decide between the maximum tariff for the offence, of four years, or the minimum, of six months There’s even the possibility of a suspended sentence and a fine of ten thousand pounds – but it’s only a possibility, so don’t get your hopes up’

‘As you know, BW, I don’t give a damn about the fine But if I had to spend even six weeks in jail, heaven knohat havoc Christina could cause in my absence’

‘Does thatto donate the Rubens to the Fitzmolean?’

‘It means I’ll think about it’

‘Before Tuesday’

Arthur fell asleep at ten o’clock, which was slightly e for the rest of the fa a celebratory dinner at San Lorenzo, his favourite restaurant, where he elcomed as if he’d never been away

‘Lights out at ten,’ he explained ‘After nearly three years, it’s not an easy habit to break’

‘What’s the first thing you’ll do when you wake up to?’ asked Grace

‘At six o’clock,’ said Arthur

‘Sausage, eggs, bacon and beans?’ suggested William