‘So, how may we help you?’ the woman asked then and Cissie couldn’t help but notice that she looked rather fragile and unwell, which was borne out when she started to cough. Cissie thought she must have been a very pretty woman in her day but now her once-fair hair, which was piled neatly on top of her head, was faded, as were her blue eyes.

Her husband was instantly at her side handing her a glass of water and a handkerchief, and when the bout had passed she smiled at them apologetically. ‘Do excuse me. I’ve been under the weather for some time and I’m ashamed to say my husband here has been marvellous and waits on me hand and foot. But there … you haven’t come here to listen to my troubles.’

Cissie cleared her throat, wondering nervously where she should begin, but when George gave her hand a squeeze, she took courage and told them: ‘What I have to say concerns your son.’

She saw the Tates exchange a worried glance before Mr Tate groaned, ‘Oh dear, we had no idea he was back again. What has he done now?’

Cissie was slightly confused. What did he mean, back again? But she carried on, almost afraid to stop. ‘Many years ago, thirty-four to be precise, I gave birth to a child in Hatter’s Hall. He was taken away from me immediately. I can explain the circumstances of my being imprisoned there another time.’ Cissie paused to dab at her sweating brow. This was proving to be even more difficult than she had imagined it would be. ‘I … I believe that that baby, who was taken from me against my will, was the boy you took from there to bring up as your own – and I suppose after all this time, I just wanted to put my mind at rest and know that he was safe and well. I have never forgotten him, you see? So I hope you will forgive me for this intrusion. Believe me, I have no wish to upset you.’

Again, the Tates glanced at each other and Cissie saw that there were tears in the woman’s eyes. This had clearly come as a shock to her, which Cissie supposed was quite understandable.

‘We did adopt a baby boy from the asylum,’ Mr Tate tentatively admitted. ‘Although we have no way of knowing whether that baby was the one you gave birth to.’

‘Oh, I have it on very good authority that he is,’ Cissie gabbled on. ‘We went to Hatter’s Hall to look at the files and the superintendent there advised us to talk to an elderly lady who helped to run the nursery there at the time my son was born. She was able to direct us to you, and if your son was born in May 1881, then there is every likelihood that he is the right one. But please believe me – I haven’t come here to try and take him away from you. You are the parents who brought him up and I have no rights whatsoever over him. As I said, I just need to know that he’s safe and well – and perhaps you could tell me what he’s like. Is he married? Does he have a family of his own? Has he brought you joy?’