‘Yes,’ she replied. ‘It’s a long story. Damn! Where on earth did I put my bag?’

While she searched, Treasure grabbed the object from the cubbyhole and shoved it deep into his pocket.

‘Well, you can tell me all about it when I eventually get that tea you promised!’

Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Now

Over tea and carrot cake Billie explained to Treasure how Imelda had wanted to make sure that the baby she had found was well looked after. Her concerns had been assuaged and rewarded by regular updates and photographs.

‘And then she ends up being the person who passes on the legacy left by the woman who gave birth to you?’

‘Exactly! It’s as though she’s always been some sort of fairy godmother waiting in the wings.’

‘And yet she never had any children of her own. I wonder why?’

‘Ha!’ Billie replied. ‘You sound like a detective trying to solve a case.’

It was Treasure’s turn to laugh. ‘It’s a fair cop! I spent thirty years on the force before I retired – the last fifteen in CID. Old habits die hard.’

‘What on earth made you want to join the police? It can’t have been easy, given your—’

‘Colour?’

‘I was going to say name, but okay, yes, your colour too.’

Treasure smiled. ‘You’re very—’

‘Nosey?’

‘I was going to say direct, but okay, yes, nosey. I joined because I needed to prove to myself that I could do anything. I had a tough time at school, and it took years for me to be proud of who I was. Back then, the police were desperate to recruit more black faces. Everything was “Equal Opportunities” and “welcoming ethnic minorities into the workplace”. I didn’t believe a word of it. My dad came over from Jamaica in 1948 and I know exactly what kind of welcome he had. But I figured if I got in and was the best that I could be, it would be the sweetest kind of “up yours” to all the racists and bigots willing me to fail.’

‘And how did that work out for you?’

‘Okay, I guess. I made DCI before I retired, but probably at the expense of two marriages and numerous relationships. The job always came first.’

‘And now?’

‘Now I get a decent pension and I get to play the music I love and make the people dance. It’s not a bad life. What about you?’

‘Gave up my job as a lecturer – history of art – a couple of years ago to care for my dad. Gave up my husband at the same time.’ Billie sighed. ‘It had got to the point where we were really trying to make our marriage work. But in the end, all that trying gets a little – well, trying. The sand was trickling through the hourglass and my life was about as exciting as boiling an egg.’

‘And now?’