Dana was looking doubtfully at Jess. ‘I don’t know. Bonnie must realise she’d be expected to tell you the base where you could reach her. One quick phone call would soon establish whether she was telling the truth or not; once you’ve done that, all we have to do is find out why this woman thinks she’s our mother.’

‘That’s a thought.’ Jess turned to Ruby. ‘Bonnie doesn’t know Dana’s my twin, but our mother would know. Did she mention anything about twins?’

Ruby pulled a face. ‘Tom was speaking so quickly, trying to get all the information across before we got disconnected, but I don’t remember him mentioning twins.’

‘Then it’s simple,’ said Dana. ‘We contact Bonnie and find out exactly what the woman said to her. If she didn’t mention twins, then it’s obvious she’s either making the whole thing up, or it’s not our mother.’

Olivia squealed with delight, causing Maude to whip the phone away from her ear.

‘Good old Bonnie! She said she’d try her best and she’s certainly done that. Did she say anything else?’

‘Only that she got disconnected before she could tell Tom where you were, but he knows where she’s based so she’s hoping he will back once he’s spoken to Jess.’

Olivia’s tummy fluttered with excitement. ‘I really thought the trail had gone cold. I can’t tell you what this means to me, Maude, and Ted’ll be so pleased.’

Maude wound her finger around the telephone cord. ‘On a more sombre note, how did the funeral go?’

‘All right, I suppose. There were more people there than I thought there would be, as he was hardly what you’d call popular or well liked. Ted thinks they were possibly old business acquaintances who were sniffing around to see what could be gained from his passing.’

‘Oh Liv, that’s terrible,’ said Maude.

‘Birds of a feather,’ Olivia said simply. ‘He’d probably have gone to their funerals for the same reason if the shoe was on the other foot.’

‘No love lost, eh?’ said Maude.

‘That’s what they’re like, Maude, only out for what they can get.’

‘Well, at least you’ve got something to look forward to now, because I’m certain Jess’ll get in touch with you.’

Olivia smiled. ‘I hope so. It’s maddening to be so close, yet so far away.’ She mulled her words over. ‘I don’t think I’ll tell Ted just yet. I want to wait until I hear more, because whilst it’s lovely to know that Bonnie’s made contact with Tom, we’re still no closer to speaking to Jess.’