Julie smiled. ‘I found my own piece of forbidden fruit, fell in love and married him. My surname is Davidson now. Carl, my husband, is an ambulance driver,’ she said proudly.

As they walked to the front door, Jane remembered something.

‘Do you have any photographs of Missy from when you were at the convent?’

‘I’m sorry. Our vow of poverty meant we couldn’t have things like cameras.’

‘I guess the artist’s impression will have to suffice then,’ Jane said.

‘Actually, come to think of it, I’ve got a group photograph of us all with the children in a cupboard upstairs. Give me a second while I look for it,’ Julie said.

After a few minutes she came downstairs holding a large, framed black-and-white photograph. She handed it to Jane.

Boon leaned forward to look at the photograph, which had clearly been taken outside the schoolhouse. Three older sisters were sitting on a garden bench, with the rest of the sisters, a priest, and some children in a semi-circle behind them. The youngsters sat on the ground, cross-legged. Everyone was smiling as if they didn’t have a care in the world. Jane visualised Eaves’ artist’s impression but didn’t see anyone she could positively identify as Sister Missy. The fact that they were all dressed the same and wearing white wimples made it even more difficult.

Julie looked glum. ‘They say every picture tells a story . . . the truth is, this one lies. Although it brings back some happy memories, we all smiled because Mother Superior said anyone who didn’t would be for the high jump. That’s Missy,’ Julie said, pointing, ‘and that’s me on her left. Annette’s sat on the ground in front of Mother Superior who is in the centre on the bench, with Sister Margaret on her right. That’s Father Bob in the back row.’

‘Would you mind writing down the names of everyone in the photograph you can remember?’ Jane asked.

‘Of course.’ Julie went and got a notepad and set to work.

‘Do you have any more photos like this?’ Boon asked.

Julie shook her head. ‘We had a convent group photograph taken every summer. Mother Superior hung them in the “off limits” playroom. When we knew we had to leave the convent, I got the job of packing up the stuff that was in there. I took this as a memento of me and Missy and the year we took our final vows.’

Jane realised Meade looked a lot different now and doubted she’d have recognised him without Julie pointing him out. She saw the photograph had ‘Sisters of Mercy Convent 1958’ printed on the bottom and turned it over. She found what she was looking for. On the back was a sticky label with ‘Scott Davies Photography’ and an address in Market Square, Bromley.

‘Would you mind if I took this photograph with me?’ Jane asked.

*