‘It should be on the Petition for Faculty. I put it in a box with the few things I found on the convent.’ She reached under her desk, pulled out the box and looked inside. ‘Here it is. Signed and dated fifth of July 1964 by Bishop Malone. He’s our archbishop now.’ She handed it to Jane.

‘Would he have performed the deconsecration alone?’ she asked. She scanned the document for Meade’s name, but couldn’t see it.

Mrs Parkin pulled another document from the box. ‘This solicitor’s letter also confirms it was Bishop Malone. He’s currently in Rome helping to organise the Pope’s visit to the UK. I’m hoping to get an introduction when he visits London,’ she beamed.

‘Would he have dealt with the exhumation and removal of nuns’ bodies to another grave site?’

‘Yes. There’s a document in here about that as well.’ She showed it to Jane.

‘Could I have copies of these documents for my case report, please?’

‘Of course.’ Mrs Parkin walked over to the copier.

Jane thought about Thomas Durham and Lee Holland and what they might be hiding. ‘If other bodies had been uncovered by the builders during the original redevelopment of the convent, would they have had to notify the diocese?’

‘Most certainly yes . . . and also the council. They would also have to apply for another Petition for Faculty, then the bodies could be moved and the ground deconsecrated.’

Jane thought about Father Chris’s suggestion that a layperson might have been involved. ‘Do you keep records of any builders or handymen who worked at the convent?’

‘We don’t keep their names, if that’s what you mean. However, we do keep receipts regarding repair work and estimates, which would have gone through our buildings department.’

‘Would you have receipts relating to the Bickley convent?’

‘Possibly, but they would be stored in a separate section of the archives and might take a while to find.’

‘I’d be grateful if you could have a look when you get a chance, and let me know if you find anything,’ Jane said.

‘Jot down your phone number on my notepad,’ Mrs Parkin said, pointing to the pad on her desk. ‘Is there anything else I can help you with?’ She handed Jane the copies of the documents.

‘About the fire, do you know how it started?’

‘I’m afraid not.’

‘Might there be any records?’ Jane asked, recalling Meade telling her Mrs Parkin had given him the details of when and where the fire occurred.

Mrs Parkin looked in the box and removed a document. ‘Just this. It’s a letter from the diocesan solicitors to the developers.’