‘Indeed. It was her funeral and it seems she was mourned by the whole of Dundee. A great crowd, perhaps a thousand people or more, followed the hearse. They were heading south, direct to the docks and so I was unable to pass. One simply could not, for fear of being trampled by the crowd, and besides, one would not, as a matter of respect. The hearse and horses were swathed in black crêpe and there were several ministers, perhaps six or seven, following behind. There was a band playing beside the cortège as it moved slowly over the cobbles to the docks and, according to the woman beside me, to the ferry and over to Fife.’

Ann rang the bell at her side. She was parched.

‘And so that is why I am so late.’

‘I see, well that was quite a morning, Miss Graham. But perhaps it is time to go up to the nursery? James and Lizzie are eager to see you again.’

Miss Graham lifted her hat from the table beside her. ‘I shall go at once. Thank you for your understanding, Mrs Craig.’ She swept out of the door, almost knocking into Jessie the maid.

‘Bring tea, Jessie. As soon as possible,’ Ann said. The maid bobbed then left, shutting the door behind her.

Ann went over to the window, pausing at the table. She lifted the stopper from the decanter and poured herself a glass. She downed it then tilted her head back. How long must all this last, she thought, gazing out over the swaying magnolia tree towards the dark rain clouds scudding over the river.

CHAPTER 22

Chapter 22

2015

Dorothy ambled into the kitchen, her straggly hair more tousled than usual. ‘Is there more coffee?’ she said, sitting down with a thump.

‘Plenty,’ Fiona said, pouring a mug. She peered at her mother, whose eyes had dark bags under them. ‘You have a bad night’s sleep, Mum?’

‘Terrible, tossed and turned all night. Not helped by your snoring father, mind you.’ She took a large gulp of coffee. ‘That’s good, thanks.’

Dorothy swivelled round sharply to look at the wall clock. ‘Good Lord, look at the time, I’m meant to pick Jamie up at his friend’s in ten minutes. What number of Perth Road was it again?’

‘510. Surname’s Andrews.’

Dorothy lifted up three blackened bananas in the fruit bowl and retrieved the car keys from underneath. ‘See you tonight. Have a good day in Edinburgh.’

Fiona opened the lid of her laptop again and continued to type.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Forgive this rather strange request out of the blue. My name is Fiona Craig and I live in Dundee, Scotland. I am trying to track down old family friends who live in Swansea. The name’s Gibson. Sorry I don’t have much more to go on.

With many thanks,

Fiona Craig