I fell into step behind him and explained the problem of the picture. His first reaction was open and hearty laughter. ‘Well, the old scoundrel. I do believe it’s the best thing I’ve ever heard about Uncle Olly’ ‘You can hardly expect us to see the joke.’ ‘I suppose not, but you must admit it’s ripe. Then putting the blame on Christie’s. You have to hand it to the old chap.’ ‘You can hand him anything you like as long as he hands over the picture to us. If he doesn’t, this could end up in the law courts.’ That stopped him laughing at least. ‘If you do that the lawyers will only get it all, and the scandal rags will have a field day’ ‘Precisely. So what can we do to avoid it? I thought you and your brother might have a serious talk with him and suggest that if he really can’t bear to part with the picture, we’d accept a cash equivalent.’ He whistled. ‘Not sure about that. I think cash may be a bit tight with Uncle Olly at the moment.’ ‘It’s a bit tight with us all the time.
