George rubbed his forehead and sighed deeply as he tried get a grasp on Sarah’s story. ‘So, what you’re telling me is you know who the watch belongs to, and that this woman’s son must have lobbed it into the Thames?’

Sarah nodded, her eyes still wet with tears as George continued, ‘Yeah, well, it’s too late to do anything about it ’cos you’ve sold it. Your friend never mentioned the ring, though, did she, so how do you know it belongs to this Steele woman?’

‘Well … I don’t. I’m just assuming it does, and the bracelet, ’cos according to my friend, this bloke Godfrey has pinched a few items from his mother. It’s got to be hers, hasn’t it?’

George thought quickly. He was in possession of the bracelet and the watch. If the items had been reported to the police as stolen and they found he had them, he’d likely get charged with receiving. He thought it was a good job he hadn’t tried to sell them on and they were safely tucked away in his wardrobe. He’d have to convince Sarah to give him the ring too. At least then he could protect her from the long arm of the law. He knew she was innocent but he doubted the courts would believe her. ‘I suppose it could belong to her, but you don’t know that for definite. It could just as likely have belonged to some woman who lost it years ago in Windsor or somewhere, and it got washed up where you found it. I think you’re beating yourself up needlessly. You found the ring, it’s yours, job done.’

‘Oh, George, I wish I could see it in black and white like you. I know what you’re saying is a possibility, but in my heart I know who this ring belongs to, and ’cos I’m desperate for the money, I chose to lower myself. I ain’t done the right thing, and now it’s probably too late.’

‘Give me the ring, Sarah. What’s done is done, and you’re worrying about it too much. I’ll buy it off you now for …’ George rummaged in his money belt and slapped several coins on the table. ‘There’s about three quid there. It ain’t much compared to what the ring is worth, but it’ll see you over ’til you get the job with my mum. And before you say another word, this ain’t me doing you no favours. I can sell that ring on for a lot more than three quid, so there’ll be a tidy profit in it for me.’

‘You really think this is OK? You don’t think I should take it back to Mrs Alderton-Steele?’