chance to see if there was a par- ticular path used for the clear- ances of the stolen wares. As I was walking out of the house (before everything had gone but I had seen some friends who no doubt would tell me later I had missed a pre 1755 Worcester blue and white mug for a few pounds) I heard Marie's voice as she spoke to a young man she had been standing beside, but in my ignorance I had not appreciated was with her, won- dering about his availability to take her to the house we had visited together, and inspite of my feelings of jealousy towards the other man I felt some lift when he said he could not help. I suppose I should have rushed in then and there and made my play but I am sure you will have guessed that is not my nature, though of course I always regret my timorous nature in my na- tural role and I feel that I may have guessed my nature incor- rectly as in more closely fitting garments and better curves I feel I can cope with problems cor- rectly and with much more con- fidence. Anyway I did nothing to improve my situation with Marie and motored home in time for a snack and my appointment.

The pub was crowded as usual after eight, Timmer was well oil- ed to an effective level, and he introduced me to Brendan O'Brien who said he and his fam- ily were looking for jade but of a particularly high grade and not produced by time and motion experts anywhere in the world but China. He was a quiet, dark haired man with a particularly still quality in his presence, but once we had exchanged drinks (and included Timmer) and made an assignment for a couple of

weeks ahead, he excused him- self and faded into the night, leaving me to see what my friends had found during my travels earlier in the week, and to give them a carefully edited re- port on my activities. Jean and Adrian made their usual snide remarks about my travels but were interested in getting some of the Worcester for their shop and my week was in profit if not a rip roaring success allowing me to celebrate by a shopping spree next Monday when I could pur- chase my hearts desire in more comfort, for every one concern- ed in the assessing, checking and finally the delicious process of trying the results of thinking in my second world, no longer con- fined to fantasy as I was in my teens and early twenties before I got my independent base that was not overlooked, so I could test the effects of various foun- dations (in more than one area) outside in the daylight and ap- preciate Virginia's book on so many points that otherwise could have made me easily read and with this the confidence to go out, and savour the delight of a well cooked meal in a hotel, with a beautiful GG, and be able to go with them round a preview the following day. It gradually seeped in to my conciousness that I was a little morbid at this point. I regretted not being able to go to the actual auction at Marie's side and even more knowing she might not even get to the sale tomorrow, and had not done anything to prevent it. I saw Margaret out of the corner of my eye as she slipped in be- side me and tried to give her a welcome that I reserve for close friends and Margaret had been very close but I had to ease off as

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I am sure you have noticed the way some women change as they feel there is a change in a rela- tionship that might get perma- nent, and I had not yet worked out if she could accept my better half without telling some one in a moment of pique, so we had accepted a slight hold off and kept up the business footing, to much profit all round as she had an enormous skill in using her little shop to its best advantage, and she would tilt business my way if possible, we had respect for one another. I asked about Wilson paintings and if she had any particular sources for them that I might have missed. She said "no" and went straight for my throat in her next question "Who was it you left at the sta- tion on sunday". There is no doubt women don't waste any time if they want something and show little desire to conceal this either, though it might be that Margaret still had hopes of a return to the old relationship and I might have to check her feel- ings out about Winifred yet. I explained how Cicelia was help- ing in some research without get- ting much in the way of a sym- pathetic response, in fact a chill seemed to be forming so I made excuses and went home. I was just getting ready for bed when the phone went and I heard faintly the voice of Marie asking if she could speak to Winifred. I explained I was the firm repre- sentative and asked if I could take a message or help, she said she wondered if Winifred could take her to the sale tomorrow and I said she could not, but perhaps I might help if she gave me the necessary data to collect her, as any friend of Winifred's was a friend of mine, at least I