‘Mr and Mrs Ellison, from what you’ve told me – and from what I see here – I think you have very little to fear. Very little indeed.’

‘Are you sure?’ Gwen pitches forward.

The solicitor releases a slow smile. ‘Quite sure. Let us pare back this issue to the apparent facts. The child in question was born to you both within the sanctity of the marriage union. In the eyes of the law, he is therefore your legitimate offspring. If Mr Ellison does not question his paternity—’

‘I do not,’ Jack interjects gruffly. The solicitor suppresses a telling twitch of his lips.

‘Then I don’t think there is a judge in the land who would pay any heed whatsoever to Mr Allingham’s claims. How old did you say the boy is, Mrs Ellison?’

‘Five.’ The number croaks free of Gwen’s tight throat. ‘He’ll be six next March.’

‘Even if Mr Allingham did have a legitimate claim of paternity over the boy, he has stood by for nearly six years and allowed him to be brought up at the expense of another man.’ He glances at Jack. A shallow frown mars his forehead as Jack’s eyes fall to his lap. ‘By doing so he has, as far as the law is concerned, forsaken any rightful claim he might have upon the boy. Really, you have no need for concern.’

‘But he said about blood tests …’ Gwen shuffles forward in her chair, ‘to prove paternity.’

‘Ah … blood tests. Our Mr Allingham might think he’s loaded up his Howitzer but I’m afraid he’s fired a dud.’ The solicitor observes her blank expression and chuckles to himself. ‘Forgive me, I was Royal Artillery until very recently. You served, Mr Ellison?’

‘I did. Infantry.’

‘Good man.’ He smiles. The letter regains his attention. He shakes his head as he scans its contents for a final time. ‘I have to say, I’m very surprised at Mr Hodgkin for putting together such a missive – he’ll be well aware that this is nothing more than a lot of hot air. But this Mr Allingham is an influential man, you say?’

‘Wealthy, certainly,’ Gwen replies in a drab voice.

‘Well, I think Mr Hodgkin must have allowed his coffers to sway his judgement in this instance. I dare say he was loath to upset a valued client and has undoubtedly bowed to pressure. This letter, you see, strikes me as a rather misguided attempt to frighten you into acquiescence, given there are no legal grounds for its demands.’ He pinches the bridge of his nose before replacing his glasses. ‘Look, there is a precedent. Blood tests have indeed been used in some cases of disputed parentage, and if, in the very unlikely event, Mr Hodgkin was able to find a judge sympathetic to his client’s cause, then that judge might support a request for the blood tests to be performed.’