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'About me?'

'You'll probably come into the conversation so the innocent self-absorption

'Then why can't I conised the stubborn expression on Tim's narrow face She wouldn't have to refuse, Tim would do it for her

'Because I want to be alone with your mother Don't you think it's important that your mother and I be friends?' Tim considered that for aof a friendship is like learning to play the violin It needs some devoted concentration and privacy to develop properly, before one exposes it to the stresses of public performance'

'Oh' Illumination was complete Tim's stubborn look becao by yourselves, then'

'Wait a ement?' cried Clare, betrayed by her own fles

h and blood

David and Ti man-to-boy looks, then David frowned and turned his head froled

'I ement,' said Clare coolly

'And pigs round Tiles intensified

'Ti ed on by his ally, Tim saluted

'Yes, ma'am But you will be friends with David, won't you?' he hesitated long enough to ask

'Of course she will She's only pretending to be reluctant,' said David smoothly

Tim trotted off, violin case tucked under his arm, reassured, while Clare was left to hiss fiercely, 'Do you usually have to resort to using innocent children to get dates?'

'Only when theirbehind them,' he said silkily 'You want to come, Clare, you just think you shouldn't So I helped relieve you of the burden of the only reasonable excuse to deny yourself Now you can pretend you're doing it just to keep Tim happy'