‘“Bugger” because you just got whipped with wet seaweed or “bugger” because of what I said?’ asked Treasure, grinning.

‘Bugger because I’m a complete and utter dimwit. And partly because of the seaweed,’ she added, rubbing the damp calves of her jeans.

‘So, Clive really did used to work for the police?’

Treasure pulled a tennis ball from his pocket and threw it for Sparrow to fetch.

‘In a manner of speaking, yes. It wasn’t anything official – he wasn’t on the payroll – but according to an old colleague of mine they would let him know if they were looking for someone in particular to “help with their enquiries” and he would keep a look-out and give them a shout if he spotted anyone of interest.’

‘But why Clive?’

A soggy tennis ball was deposited at Treasure’s feet. He lobbed it into the air and then wiped his hands on his jeans. ‘Because Clive is a super recogniser.’

‘A what?’

‘A super recogniser. It means he’s one of a tiny percentage of the population who have an extraordinary ability to memorise and recall faces.’

‘And he could do that even if he’d only seen someone once or twice?’

‘Yes.’

‘Even if it was years ago?’

Treasure nodded.

‘Bugger!’

‘So, that woman Clive showed you in the magazine was very probably the same woman he saw leave you outside Imelda’s booth.’

Billie shook her head in disbelief. ‘That’s right, rub it in!’

‘Where’s the magazine now?’

Billie looked suitably shamefaced. ‘I put it out for recycling,’ she admitted. ‘But it’s not just that. Clive tried to help me. He did something kind and I dismissed it. I judged him because he’s not like everyone else, and I decided that made him less . . . what? I don’t even know. But it made it easy for me to discount what he said – to trivialise it and him. And now it turns out that the fact that he’s not like everyone else is the very reason why I should have listened to him and believed him. I’m thoroughly ashamed of myself.’

‘You should be.’ Treasure was serious. ‘But at least you’ve realised your mistake, and now you can make it up to him.’

‘How?’

‘I’ve no idea. But I’m sure you’ll think of something.’

Sparrow and Mabel were tiring now and trotted along in front of them, their tails high and their pink tongues lolling from the sides of their mouths.

‘Can’t you at least remember the name of the woman in the magazine?’

Billie frowned in concentration. ‘It was a Lady something beginning with L. Lady Longhorn!’

Treasure laughed. ‘Well at least it gives us something to Google. And I do have some good news for you too.’

‘Well, praise the Lord! What is it?’