‘Ah, yes my mother watches that Heir Hunters TV programme,’ Grace told him, remembering when Cora went through a phase of sitting up all night watching back-to-back episodes with the volume up so high that she’d had to wear earplugs when trying to get some sleep.

‘That’s it.’

‘So how will we know if the paintings – or indeed all the possessions – truly belonged to Connie?’ she asked.

‘Well, it’s tricky without a will that specifically mentions each item in the storage unit, but if we can find some mention of them in her papers or diaries, and receipts would be useful, you know, if she bought them from a gallery perhaps … Or photos of her with the items showing in the background. Some connection is always helpful.’ He creased his forehead, as if pondering on all the possibilities.

Grace thought about what he had said as she took a mouthful of her hot chocolate. ‘Penny for them?’ Ellis asked, ‘that’s what you say here, don’t you?’

‘Ah, yes, we do,’ she laughed, touched by his efforts at Britishisms, ‘although I haven’t heard anyone say it for a long time … I was just thinking about Connie, and wondering why she didn’t sell the paintings, if they are worth a lot of money? Her neighbour told us that she died alone and in poverty …’ Grace shook her head. ‘Why would she struggle like that when she had all those valuable possessions in the storage unit right there at her disposal?’

‘Yes, it’s very sad, but not uncommon. I’ve seen it several times … usually the older person is reluctant to dip into their relatives’ inheritance, taking pride in being able to leave as much as possible to their children or grandchildren.’

‘Interesting. Then perhaps Connie was doing just that … kindly leaving everything for someone else to benefit from, at the expense of her own wellbeing.’

‘It’s odd then, that she didn’t leave a will. Maybe she simply didn’t know the true value of the paintings?’ he suggested. ‘It could be as you said, that she bought them back in the 1950s or 1960s and really had no idea … it is possible, and I’m looking forward to finding out.’

‘And what about the jewels? They could be costume and worth nothing at all, of course, but they are very realistic looking … what if the stones are precious diamonds and rubies? Wouldn’t they be worth a lot of money too?’ Grace wiped her mouth on a napkin before summoning a modicum of courage to look Ellis directly in the eyes. He smiled and held her gaze momentarily.

‘Jewels?’ He lifted one eyebrow.

‘Yes, there was a big leather jewellery box in the unit, crammed full of exquisite bangles, necklaces, earrings and brooches.’

‘And where is the box now?’ Ellis leant forward eagerly.

‘Larry locked it away, to be on the safe side.’