That mention, at least, had the desired effect and Biffy relaxed a little. He'd never pestered Greta about the scarf though he was glad that she did wear it now and then and hoped it would reappear when the weather got cool. He'd chosen a print that would be elegant but last more than a season, hoping she would enjoy it more than once.

"It will be lovely on you," he said with gentle confidence. What better thing was there for him to do, Biffy thought, than to help his friends see themselves as he did?

"And if it makes you feel any better, I don't think Randolph Lyall is capable of trifling."