When he came into the dining-room he found Bee and the twins having breakfast, and joined them.
"Nell and Simon are still asleep," Bee said. "You'd better come back with me and the twins in the car, and let Eleanor take Simon when they waken."
"What about Tony?"
"Oh, he went back yesterday with Mrs. Stack."
It was a relief to know that he could go back to Latchetts with Bee in peace.
The twins began to talk about Tony's exploit, which was patently going to be part of Latchetts history, and he did not have to make conversation. Bee asked if the dawn had come up to expectation, and remarked that he was looking the better of it.
Through the green early-morning countryside they drove home to Clare, and Brat caught himself looking at it with the emotions of someone who has only a short time to live. He looked at things with a that-will-still-be-there attitude.
He would never come to Bures. He might never even drive with Bee again.
Whatever else Simon's confession meant, it meant the end of his life at Latchetts.