‘Your father sent them to me. He was very kind; he didn’t have to. But when I handed you over to the authorities, I wanted to know that you were safe and that you would be well cared for. I asked if someone could please let me know how you were getting on. I never really expected to hear anything, but somehow your father got the message. He wrote to me when he sent the first photograph to tell me that you were happy and settled, and very much loved.’

Billie handed Imelda the photograph of her as a baby.

‘I still have that teddy bear.’

‘And you still have all those happy memories of the wonderful man and woman who brought you up. They didn’t need to be related to you to be the best parents you could have wished for. It takes more than blood to raise a child as well as they did.’

Billie resumed her sweeping. ‘What were your parents like?’

‘They were wonderful! Papa was an amazing cook and always full of stories about Russia and his family, and my mother was truly a force of nature. She was beautiful, strong and a little wild. And stubborn.’

‘So, you take after her, then?’

Imelda laughed. ‘It’s true we sometimes clashed because we were too alike.’

‘Over what?’ Billie was curious about the young Imelda, not least because she would have been a contemporary of her birth mother.

‘Well, she was against me working at Larkins.’

‘Why?’

‘She didn’t think it was respectable. In fact, she likened it to Sodom and Gomorrah.’

‘Blimey! Was it that bad?’

Imelda shook her head. ‘But it was never dull. When people are on holiday, they like to let their hair down – especially when they’ve had a drink or two.’

‘And the staff? Did they let their hair down too?’

‘Well, I only really knew the entertainment staff. But yes, of course. They were a colourful bunch. There was a woman who could fold herself into a suitcase, Jeanie with her incredible voice, but I think the mermaids were my favourites.’

‘Not the Wall of Death rider then?’ Billie joked and then immediately wished she hadn’t when she saw the smile fade from Imelda’s face.

There was a sudden draught as the door opened and Treasure came in carrying a tray of drinks.

‘I thought you ladies might be in need of some refreshment.’

‘Earl Grey for you Imelda. Billie, I wasn’t sure what you’d like. I guessed builder’s tea with no sugar, but I brought some just in case.’

Billie tipped her bowler hat in gratitude. ‘Spot on. And no, I don’t take sugar, thank you.’