‘I wouldn’t tell Nathan about Tommy. I promise. But I’d like to show Jake his dad’s baby pictures,’ she lied. ‘They look so alike.’

Sharon continued shaking her head. ‘I’m sorry, love. I can’t have anyone else seeing these. In fact, I should have burned them after Tommy died.’

Grace smiled. ‘I understand. Thanks for your time, Sharon.’

Leaving Sharon’s house a minute later, Grace thought about the biscuit tin and the evidence within it. She needed to get her hands on it before Sharon did something stupid.

So, Nathan had murdered his own father. How about that. He’d spent so much of his life longing for love and acceptance, wondering who his father was. To think he had that from Tommy – his actual father, and he had thrown it away. Who knew how that would affect him if he knew. Not in any good way, she could guarantee. It would eat away at him. It would make him question everything. Who he was. What he’d done. She smiled to herself as she realized she now had information that could bring her ex-husband to his knees.

Chapter Fifty-Four

Craig Snell sauntered over to the bar of the Rose and Crown looking very pleased with himself. All of five feet two inches and built like a whippet, he looked much younger than his nineteen years. The large backpack he carried was almost as big as him. Grace watched him from her vantage point. She’d recently finished eating lunch with one of her girlfriends.

‘I’m here to see Grace,’ Craig said to Marcus as he approached the bar.

‘What for?’ Marcus asked. ‘Shouldn’t you be in school, son?’

‘I’m here for a job interview, aren’t I?’ he snapped.

Getting up from her seat, Grace approached the bar.

‘Is this right?’ Marcus asked, indicating his head towards Craig with a look of bemusement on his face.

Grace nodded. ‘Come through, Craig,’ she smiled.

Craig followed Grace up to her office. Once they were inside he took the battered metal biscuit tin from his backpack. ‘As promised,’ he smiled, showing off the gap in his teeth.

‘You didn’t take anything else though?’ Grace queried.

He shook his head. ‘Nope. Waited till the old bird was out and was in an and out quicker than a virgin on prom night. She had some good stuff though, Grace. Could have slipped a few quid’s worth of bling out of there with me, no problem,’ he sighed.

‘And there’s no sign of a break-in? No one will know you were there?’

‘No. I told you, I’m the best.’ He grinned.

As much as he looked like a scrawny schoolboy, yet to hit puberty, Craig Snell was one of the best thieves this side of the Mersey. He could get in and out of almost anywhere without leaving a trace. His considerable skills had earned him the nickname ‘Baby Houdini’.