‘Yeah, suppose you’re right. She was actually really nice, much nicer than slutty Debs.’ Fiona sat down at her desk and turned on her laptop. ‘Right, I’m going to get all the stuff out on Sir Thomas Bouch today. Did you know there’d been a gale, about the same intensity, in 1853 that sank boats and wrecked houses? Must have been gale force nine or ten, just like in 1879. So there was history of bad storms, but he still paid little attention to wind pressure when he designed the bridge. Got to find out if he was just plain incompetent or if he was trying some new technique.’

‘He certainly doesn’t come out of the tale well, does he?’

‘Definitely not, there were a lot of Dundonians who wanted his knighthood stripped, but then he died only a few months after the public inquiry.’

Fiona went over to the bookshelf. ‘Oh, where can I find out about Dad’s ancestors, M? In the nineteenth century. According to Dad, there was something that went on in the family, a murder or something.’

Martha looked up from her screen. ‘Wow, amazing. What sort of date?’

‘I’m not sure. Dad’s grandpa told him the story, so the late nineteenth century at some point?’

‘The Dundee Courier and Argus was the main paper in the city then. You’ll find the back copies in the archives room along the hall.’

‘Thanks. I’ll see if I’ve got time to nip along in the lunch break. I don’t need to go out, Mum’s made me one of her famous cabbage and peanut butter sandwiches.’

‘Your mum’s a hoot.’

‘Hmm… Anyway, it’s her birthday tomorrow, sixty-five. Big tea party once Jamie’s home from football. Why not pop in for cake and a glass of bubbly if you want. Bring Allie?’

‘Thanks, Fi. We’re out for dinner tomorrow night, our fifth anniversary. But I’ll nip out and get a card at lunch.’

A couple of hours later, Fiona’s blackberry pinged with an email.

Dear Ms Craig,

Thank you for your enquiry. I am in fact from New Zealand and new in this post so not familiar with local knowledge. My colleague is currently away but he is due back tomorrow so I will try and find out more then. Swansea’s not that big, so I’m sure it won’t be difficult. In the meantime, wishing you all the best from Swansea.

Yours sincerely,

Joanna Coles, Librarian, Swansea Library.

* * *

Dorothy Craig sat at the kitchen table in front of a pile of presents.

‘Open them, Granny. This one first!’ Jamie thrust forwards a large present from the top of the pile.

Dorothy smiled and put it on her lap. ‘Jamie, the wrapping’s lovely. I don’t really want to open it. Did you wrap it yourself?’

Jamie nodded, grinning…

‘Takes after his artistic dad, of course he did, Mum.’