A heavyset constable, with barrel chest and drum-taut paunch, his belt stretched to the last hole, bushy walrus moustache and gleaming bald head stepped forward, his helmet tucked under his arm, boots ringing echoingly over the tiled floor. ‘Leatherbeck, sir, PC Josiah Leatherbeck, No13673, sir. My old Ma, she used to serve there, long dead she is now, of course, God rest her soul, scullery maid she was, worked her fingers to the bone; to the bone and never a word of thanks or appreciation. Old Mrs. Lanchester, the mother-in-law , Sir Samuel’s mother-in-law, as was, she was the worst, a real old dragon, nasty with it if you gets my meaning, nothing ever good enough for her. Spiteful too. Anyhow, Ma’ she maided there and I used to go along wi’ her at times after me Dad died. Consumption it
