‘So this young man Hugh fell in love with? Who was he?’ Jazz asked.

‘It’s quite an interesting story. The student concerned was one Corin Conaught. He was renowned for his drink and drug abuse, but, according to Crispin, was a charismatic, beautiful and aristocratic young man. Rather like Bosie, Wilde’s lover, I should imagine. He left a trail of both male and female hearts broken behind him.’

‘He was bisexual?’

‘Yes, but let me continue with my story before I lose track: Hugh Daneman fell head over heels in love with him. From what Crispin said, Corin was very fond of Hugh too and they were an “item” for quite some time, until Hugh was asked to leave.’

‘I’m surprised it was such a scandal. As you say, anything went in the Sixties.’

‘It did and it didn’t. Any relationship between staff and pupil is forbidden to this day. Some things never change and that’s one of them. And Corin came from a high-profile Catholic family. Corin’s father, Ralph, Lord Conaught, died whilst his son was carousing at Oxford. Apparently Corin was told his father was about to shuffle off this mortal coil during a particularly debauched weekend of partying, and didn’t even bother to go home to kiss Daddy goodbye. And I’m sure they would have got wind of their son’s notorious relationship with Hugh Daneman. Subsequently, even though Corin was the eldest son, and heir to the Conaught Estate and the title, his father disinherited him and left everything to the spare, one Edward Conaught.’

‘Dramatic stuff.’ Jazz sighed.

‘Yes, and as with all dramas, it has a poignant ending. Apparently Corin returned home from Oxford, having been sent down a few weeks after his father died. His younger brother, Edward, granted him a cottage on the estate. He spent the next five years drinking and injecting himself into an early grave. He died when he was twenty-six, poor chap.’

‘Where is this estate?’

‘Near you, actually; somewhere in Norfolk.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes.’ Tom had a look of satisfaction on his face. ‘So, does all this help, Ma’am?’

‘Absolutely, Dad. It’s fantastic. I have somewhere to go with this now. It also perhaps explains why Hugh Daneman suddenly appeared at St Stephen’s: if the love of his life was living in Norfolk, then surely he might have followed?’

‘Very possibly. Anyway, I hope that’s given you something to work on.’

‘It has, and please thank your friend Crispin for his help, too. Thank you so much, Dad.’ Jazz stood up. ‘I’d better be on my way. Bye, Mum.’

‘Bye, darling.’ Celestria kissed her. ‘Let us know what happens.’

‘I will.’

When she arrived at her car, Jazz opened the boot and retrieved her briefcase. She pulled out the wallet containing the photo she had found next to Hugh Daneman’s bed in his London flat. She stared at the photograph, taking in the angelically beautiful face and the long, blond hair. She turned it over and read the inscription once more.