Wright Watson walked slowly up the steps to the police station. He remembered the day eighteen months earlier when the Prince and Princess of Wales had visited Hartley to open the building. The factories had stopped work while the royal parade made its stately way through the town and all the school children had been given the day off. The streets were lined with flag-waving, cheering, happy folk, all determined to make the most of Hartley’s moment of fame. A brass band played, the Mayor gave a stirring speech, and the Vicar, Dr Banks, said a prayer. Members of the Parish Church Choir had been in attendance. Dr Burchill conducted them in one of his own compositions, written especially for the occasion. It was not the only time when the good doctor was to the fore in civic celebrations. There had been the...

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