He askedJanet, who said she'd last seen him in the garden, and then afew other people, and then finally Derek said he'd gone offwith Octavia, down towards the stream. ''And you too, Octavia. She looked stunning. I'm extremely discreet.
'She sounded tearful; she had been better lately, since thefuneral, had made a clear effort to be more cheerful both forhis sake and Dickon's. She could remember her last words: Bye Daddy,' shehad said, 'see you very soon,' had been deliberately vague,avoided designating a day in the week ahead, as she knewhe had wanted to do. 'She had expected denials, justifications, accusations even,of her own bad behaviour, of selfishness, lack of understanding,even; was taken aback totally by his reaction. Quitealone.
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