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I deserved that. Yes, I'll ring him back,' said Marianne, trying tosound calm and unflustered. Turn your unwanted trinkets into cash. Gideon, I'llcome and play with you later, I promise.

They were almost nine now, and very alike; perhaps more so in their middle childhood, resolutely asexual, than theyever would be again. ''We're doing all we can,' said Tom. 'They've been snogging,' said Gideon, with all theworldly wisdom of the nearly nine. 'How do I look?''Fine.