"What was it?" she said.
"What I thought. Gastric ulcer. He's had a haemorrhage."
That was what Aunt Adeline had run away from.
"Look here, Anne, I've got to send Scarrott in the car for Ransome. Then he'll have to go on to Cheltenham to fetch Colin."
"Colin?" This was the end then.
"Yes. He'd better come. And I want you to do something. I want you to drive over to Medlicote and bring Jerrold back. It's beastly for you. But you'll do it, won't you?"
"I'll do anything."
It was the beastliest thing she had ever had to do, but she did it.
From where she drew up in the drive at Medlicote she could see the tennis courts. She could see Jerrold playing in the men's singles. He stood up to the net, smashing down the ball at the volley; his back was turned to her as he stood.
She heard him shout. She heard him laugh. She saw him turn to come up the court, facing her.