‘I might have been able to recognise some of the faces, that’s all. I worked at Larkins too for a while, but only very briefly. That’s where I met Madame Burova a couple of times.’

Billie almost choked on her tea. ‘That’s ridiculous! What an incredible coincidence!’

Henry shook his head. ‘Not at all. The holiday park was huge and catered for hundreds of guests. Back then, Larkins was one of the biggest employers in the area. They took on all sorts: chalet maids, cooks, waiters, bar staff and, of course, the entertainers. Everyone knew someone who worked there.

‘What did you do?’

‘Pretty much anything I was asked. I was young and needed the money, and you were expected to muck in with whatever needed doing. But all I really wanted to do was play the piano. I got to accompany some of the singers at Larkins, but it wasn’t enough. That’s why I left. I got a job at a club in London, and that’s where I met Jocelyn.’

Billie’s thoughts had returned to the photograph.

‘Did you know Cillian Byrne?’

‘Everyone knew Cillian Byrne! He was dashing, dangerous and devilishly handsome!’ Henry teased. ‘But do you really think he was your father?’

Billie shook her head in frustration. ‘How do I know? It’s just that he’s right there, in the middle of the photo. His face is the one you see first, and she, my mother, gave me the photo because my father was in it. But if he was my father, then there must be any number of women who could be my mother. According to Imelda, all the ladies loved him.’

‘And so did some of the men,’ Henry added. But not out loud.

Billie checked her watch. ‘I must get going. I promised Imelda that I’d be back for lunch, and then she’s going to show me inside her booth on the promenade.’

‘Sounds wonderful!’

As Henry helped her into her coat, he asked Billie to remember him to Imelda, and suggest that the three of them meet for dinner before Billie returned home.

‘For all his admirers and hangers-on,’ Henry said, as he stood at the door to see Billie out, ‘I always had the impression that there was only ever one woman that Cillian really cared for.’

‘And who was she?’ Billie asked as she pulled on her hat.

‘Imelda Burova.’

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Now

‘What will happen to the booth now you’ve retired?’ Billie asked. ‘Will you sell it?’

Imelda hadn’t yet decided what she was going to do with it, but she wasn’t going to sell it.

‘I’m not sure. I may lease it out if I can find someone suitable.’

Mabel was snuffling round at their feet, inspecting every corner of the booth. It was her first visit too and she was inveterately curious. Billie sat down at the gypsy table.