Sarah felt rooted to the wooden bench. She wanted to get up and move closer to him but her legs wouldn’t work, and it felt as if her voice had become stuck in her throat. She gulped hard, but it wasn’t easy as her mouth was so dry.

‘Miss … Are you all right?’

Sarah nodded, but she felt light-headed, and for a moment, she thought she might faint. She heard her father tell the other policeman to fetch her a glass of water, and suddenly she realised she was causing a scene and needed to pull herself together. She didn’t want to draw too much attention to herself. ‘Thanks, but I’m fine.’

‘What did you want to see me about?’ her father asked.

Sarah finally moved from the bench and stood in front of the counter. Both policemen were staring at her, and as she looked into her father’s eyes, she hoped he’d realise who she was. ‘Can we speak somewhere in private?’ she asked in almost a whisper.

She saw the men exchange glances.

‘Come through this way,’ her father said, lifting the flip-up counter. Sarah followed him into a long corridor. He led her through to a room with a table and chairs in the middle, and pale-grey painted walls. It didn’t feel very friendly. Then her father spoke.

‘Sorry, this is normally an interrogating room, but please, take a seat.’

Sarah pulled out a chair and sat down, gripping her shaking hands in her lap.

‘Now then,’ her father said as he took a seat opposite her, ‘do you want to tell me what this is all about? I hope you’re not wasting police time, young lady.’

Sarah had thought about what she was going to say, but all the words evaded her now, and instead she blurted, ‘I lied. My name isn’t really Sarah Neerly. It’s Sarah Jepson and I believe you knew my mother, Annie?’

Ron Lyons leaned back in his seat, and Sarah watched as the colour drained from his face.

‘Annie Jepson … Yes, I remember her well. How is she?’

‘Dead,’ Sarah said bluntly.

‘Oh, I’m very sorry to hear that.’

Sarah couldn’t detect any sincerity in his voice and his face was deadpan.

‘She told me something on her deathbed …’ Sarah paused, hoping her father would work out what she was about to say so that she wouldn’t have to spell out the details.

There was silence between them for a moment, but then it was broken as he said, ‘Are you going to enlighten me?’

‘Well, it’s a bit delicate. My mum, Annie, she told me that you’re … you … Oh, blimey, I’m just going to come straight out with it. She said you’re my dad.’

Ron Lyons shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He looked very awkward and Sarah wondered if she should have broken the news a little more gently.