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So silly, me thinking that. 'And that conversation, thought Octavia, really did sumup her whole life. CHAPTER 48Louise went into the dining room for breakfast singingunder her breath. The Loire Valley.

'He got up, fetched some paper and a pen, sat down againnext to her and started writing. ' She stopped,frozen, the pleasure suspended, frightened by the urgencyin his voice. The Inland Revenue had taken a hard look at theiraccounts the following year, and discovered the discrepancy. ''Aubrey,' said Tom, 'I did hate that idea.