Jane read it. The only mention was a line stating that a fire had occurred in August 1962, damaging several uninsured outbuildings and the school beyond economical repair. Jane realised Meade could have the letter but wondered how he knew the fire had started in the bakery and destroyed all the convent documents.

‘There’s nothing else about the fire?’

‘Not that I could find. You’d be better off speaking to Bishop Meade. He knows more about it than me.’

Jane didn’t want to press Mrs Parkin. From what she said, it seemed Meade knew a lot more about the fire than he was letting on and was trying to distance himself from it. Jane changed tack.

‘I assume when the convent closed the children were moved to another orphanage.’

‘Yes, but I doubt they would all have gone to the same one.’

‘Would you have a record of their names and where they were sent?’

‘Unfortunately, we don’t. Bishop Meade did ask me to look, but it appears the convent never passed the details on to the archives, which was most remiss of the Mother Superior in charge. Then again, with all the distress and upheaval of the convent closing, she might just have forgotten.’

Jane wasn’t so sure and wondered if the records had been passed on but had then been destroyed by Meade. ‘Do you know who the Mother Superior was?’

‘No, it appears all the nuns’ personal records were destroyed in the fire as well.’

‘Did any priests live at the convent when it was open?’

Parkin frowned. ‘Of course not, that would be most irregular.’

‘Would a local one visit or help teach at the school?’ Jane asked.

‘That wouldn’t be uncommon. St Mary’s is the nearest Catholic church to the old convent. Father Floridia is the current priest. He’s a lovely man – unlike some of the misery guts out there. You know, I’ve never heard anyone say a bad word about Father Floridia.’

Jane nodded. ‘I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him. He introduced me to Bishop Meade. As a matter of interest, would you have a record of the priests who worked at St Mary’s in the fifties and sixties?’

Parkin’s eyes narrowed. ‘Can I ask why you need all this information?’

‘The coroner wants us to explore every possible avenue to try and identify the nun found in the unearthed coffin. He’s a stickler for making sure we do a thorough job.’

Mrs Parkin nodded. ‘Well, we wouldn’t want to upset him. Give me a second while I look in the St Mary’s archives.’ She walked down a long row of bookshelves and out of sight.

Jane didn’t hear the door open but jumped when she heard someone behind her cough to get her attention. She turned sharply and saw the young priest.