‘Ian, she lied to you and manipulated both you and the father of her child. She can’t just pick and choose who she wants to select as the father, and then change her mind whenever she feels like it. Parenthood is a biological fact. She tried to put you off taking a paternity test, but you, and the father, and above all the child, you all have a right to know the truth. It would probably come out at some future time anyway, and imagine how painful that would be, for everyone involved. Another man is the father, Ian, not you. She tried to conceal that from him as well, and I dare say it’s important to him too. She was deceiving both of you in the most despicable way imaginable. And you think that’s justifiable on the grounds that you earn more than him? Really?’

‘Yes, I know, I know. You’re right, of course you are. It was despicable behaviour. But – well, I thought her baby was mine and, even though I never wanted it in the first place, I can’t pretend I’m not disappointed to discover that it’s not mine after all. I’m sorry, but that’s just how I feel.’

Geraldine nodded. ‘I do understand. I’d be feeling just the same if that happened to me.’

Ian smiled. ‘That was never going to happen to you. You’re a woman. You can’t possibly imagine what it feels like. I feel – cheated. I can’t really explain, but she managed to persuade me that this was how it was always meant to be between us. A family. It had begun to feel somehow inevitable. Oh well, it’s over and that’s that.’

‘I know it’s not the same thing at all, but I felt angry and betrayed when I discovered the woman I had believed was my mother had lied to me all my life. These emotional relationships are complex and painful. You’re right to want to move on, but you can’t sweep all this under the carpet and pretend it never happened.’

While she was talking, she was thinking about Jessica, and Daisy’s unknown father.

‘I wonder who the father is?’ she said aloud.

‘Whoever the father is, Bev’s baby is nothing to do with me any more,’ Ian replied.

‘No, I meant –’ Geraldine broke off in confusion.

Ian had just told her his momentous news, and she was thinking about the case they were working on.

‘What?’ he asked.

She frowned. ‘I was thinking about Jessica and the missing baby.’

Before she could apologise, Ian smiled.

‘I know you’re just trying to take my mind off my own problems,’ he said. ‘And you’re right, because we have a job to do. We can continue this later, but for now, let’s get back to work. What’s on your mind, Sergeant?’