She said her dad was “a photographer”…

….but he didn’t have a shop or a studio. I doubt he even owned a camera. Whenever I called to take his daughter out, his firm handshake and vague aura of menace suggested a somewhat shadier occupation. They were a lovely family and I seemed to be the only one who had any suspicions about what he did for a living. These were heightened when I went into a soul music shop in Shepherds Bush to buy this 12″ single and he was behind the counter. “Just looking after the place for a pal of mine”, he explained in a tone that invited no further questions. I imagine this “pal” had failed to pay his dues and was now propping up the Westway. When I saw his daughter years later, she told me her mum and dad had retired. “Yes”, she said with an innocent smile, “to the Costa Del Sol”.