'Quartus! Hullo. I didn't recognise you in that get- up.'

'I said, what are you doing here?' Hugh snapped. His face was white.

'I'm on my way to Alderley.'

'I gathered that, you fool. But just why are you on your way there?'

Paul frowned. 'I've been invited for the weekend.'

Hugh was breathing hard. 'By Geraldine?'

'Yes, of course.'

'The little beast!'

'Look here, don't you speak about Gerry like that.'

'What's it to you how I speak about Gerry?'

'I think a lot of her. I won't stand by and listen to her insulted.'

'Then don't stand by. Clear off. I'll stay here and insult her to my heart's content.'

Paul swallowed and managed to control himself. He said, 'I'm sorry about the bike.'

'So am I!'

'But I'm not really to blame—'

'Not to blame! I suppose you think my machine dived under your car — decided to commit suicide!'

'I came round the bend and it was in the middle of the road.'

'A driver should be prepared for obstructions in the road. He shouldn't drive so fast that he can't stop if—'

'Oh, for Pete's sake! Normally I could have stopped, but the road's icy—'

'The road's icy! He's telling me the road's icy! Why do you think I came off?'

'I wouldn't know,' Paul retorted. 'It could have been sheer incompetence — or, to judge from your manner, drunkenness. However, I have no wish to continue arguing. Although I admit no legal liability, I'm naturally prepared to pay for the repairs—'

'I don't want your confounded charity.'

'As you wish. But if you change your mind, the offer stands. Now, as the bike obviously can't be ridden, I suggest we drag it to the side of the road and then call up the local garage to come get it. I'll give you a lift to the house. Er, I suppose you are a guest there, too?'

'I was.'

'Was?'

'I wasn't looking forward to the weekend before. Now I doubt if I could stomach it.'

'Well, that's up to you. But you'll have to come to the house to use the phone. Hop in the car.'

'No, thanks.'

'But it's pretty well a mile—'

'That's my business.'

Paul shrugged. 'OK. What do I tell the Burfords?'

'Tell them to - Tell them what you like.'

'As you wish. So long.'

Paul walked to his car. Really, that chap was insufferable. What on earth did Gerry see in him?

He drove the last hundred yards, turned in past the lodge, and sped up the tree-lined drive to Alderley. Even his brush with Quartus couldn't take from him a delightfully pleasurable anticipation. His last visit had been in summer. He and Gerry had gone for long rambles in and outside the estate. He remembered his sense of pride when she'd presented him with a key to the small doors set into the walls that surrounded the park — a traditional mark of esteem in the family.