Author: Ilon Maks

**Part 1: The Strawberry Clue**Eight years ago, they handed me the wrong baby. Mine was out there, living

The sky drizzled softlylike a delicate veil of rainas people hurried past with umbrellas open and eyes downcast.

“Look at her thinks shes going to be somebody. Poor thing, with that shabby old briefcase.”

Late autumn, early morning on a weekdaythe town still yawned, but tyres already crunched on the country road.

I see now what I did. I wanted to return to my ex-wife, with whom I had spent thirty years, but it was

Father noticed a bruise under his daughters eye and made a callhis son-in-laws life was about to be ruined.

I never loved my wife, and I told her so many times. It wasnt her faultwe got on well enough.

Life has a way of surprising us with unexpected gifts. My story began one night as I slept, while my

This fence is the only place that doesnt shoo me away. Sometimes I feel like Ive grown attached to it

**Diary Entry 15th March 1988**Carlisle, a quiet corner of Yorkshire where nothing bad ever happensuntil it does.