Like me, Ruby believes that Snow got rid of Beth Bannerman so she could inherit the big house at Bondi; and she got rid of her sister for the same reason: money.

Both of us would like to see that theory put before a jury, but since Snow isn’t even charged in relation to either crime, I guess that’s not going to happen.

In the meantime, what Ruby wants is to be able to bury her mum with dignity.

‘I want Mum to be somewhere where I can visit her,’ she told me just last week.

She also told me a story that I’ll tell you, because to my mind it sums up how much Agnes loved the life she built for herself, after having such a rough start.

The story is basically about a time when one of Ruby’s pets died and Agnes had to sit her up on her knee and explain the concept of death to her.

No parent likes having that chat.

She said, everything dies and everyone dies, and death is forever. That is a very hard lesson for children to learn. And Ruby said, ‘I was only about seven or eight, and I’ve never forgotten the way my mother eased the blow for me. I remember saying, “Will I die, Mum?” And she said, “Well, not for a long time.”

‘I said, “And will you die, Mum?” Because that was just too much to cope with.’

‘Mum said, “Oh, yes, but not for a very long time.” And then she said, and I’ve never forgotten, “But do you know what, Ruby? When it happens, I don’t want you to worry, because I have had such a happy life. I’ve been so lucky.” And over the years, she honed that message. She’d say, “I was so lucky to survive that blast in the London hospital where I was born. I was so lucky to be allowed to sail to Australia, so lucky to meet your dad, so lucky to have two such beautiful children, and five such gorgeous grandchildren.

‘“So I don’t ever want any of you to worry about me. When I go, you just bury my ashes under some lovely old tree and don’t cry, because remember I was so lucky to have the life I had.”

‘And that’s what I want,’ Ruby said, ‘To be able to bury Mum under a lovely old tree. She deserves that, not to be dumped, or discarded, or whatever has happened to her.’

I asked Ruby if there was anything she wanted to say directly to Snow.

She said, ‘Yes, Jack, there is,’ and since I’m not allowed to write to Snow any more, I suppose I’ve got to publish Ruby’s letter to her aunt right here:

Dear Snow,

I am writing to you to say that I’m so sorry for what has happened to you in your life.

It must have been very difficult, watching your parents separate, and having your home broken up when you were still a little girl.