‘I look forward to seeing it,’ Jane said, but Eaves could see she looked disappointed.

‘If you need something quicker, I could do a two-dimensional facial reconstruction,’ he suggested.

‘What does that involve?’ Jane asked.

‘Taking a front and side profile photograph of the skull, which I place side by side on a drawing table and cover with transparent paper. Using the shape of the bone and the tissue markers as a map, I then sketch a face back onto the skull. It will only take me a couple of days. I’ll also do the clay model as part of my research.’

Jane brightened. ‘Thanks, Richard, the sketch will be immensely helpful to start with. Are you able to give an estimation of the nun’s age?’

‘You just missed Doc Martin, the odontologist,’ Sam said. ‘He examined the teeth and estimated her to be between twenty and thirty years old.’

Eaves nodded. ‘I’ve looked at the X-rays for skeletal development and anatomical growth markers in the hands, wrists and clavicles. My findings concur with Doc Martin’s.’

Jane had hoped the age range might be narrower. ‘The cross on her body had 20 February 1958 engraved on it. If she was sixteen when she became a nun and the date refers to the taking of her vows, which would be five years later, then her age at death could be between twenty-one and thirty.’

‘That makes sense,’ Sam said. ‘But the date on the cross could also refer to when she became a novice nun, which means she could have been anything between sixteen and twenty-one when she died.’

‘If the convent closed in the mid-sixties, that makes the possible age range sixteen to twenty-three, I think,’ Jane added.

Eaves was apprehensive. ‘It should always be borne in mind, whatever the case, all a forensic anthropologist or odontologist can do is give the best estimate of biological age, regardless of how far it may be from actual chronological age. Once you identify her, the age problem should be resolved.’

‘Thanks for your help, Richard. I look forward to seeing the reconstruction,’ Jane said.

Jack walked back in. ‘The nun’s ready for viewing.’

‘Thanks, Jack. I’ll let Father Floridia know,’ Jane said.

Sam walked with Jane to the coroner’s officer’s room to get her coat and briefcase.

‘I’m working Saturday but should be finished around five. I wondered if you fancied going out for something to eat,’ Jane asked.

‘I’d love to, Jane, but I’m out on a date. I could do Sunday lunch, though.’

‘I’m not sure if I’ll be working Sunday.’

‘If you’re not, give me a ring Sunday morning. I know a lovely old pub on the Thames called The Anchor. It’s a short walk from London Bridge station. We could meet there first.’

‘Sounds good to me. I’ll let you know about work,’ Jane said.