Chapter 1

Anthony had his fifteen minutes of fame very early, too early for him to be aware of it. He was one of those babies who was found having been abandoned by his mother. He was in a cardboard box which was left outside of a corner shop. As the years passed, he would hear the story of his strange start in life many times.

Dragging his feet, each step an effort, Joe Billings was thinking about the coffee he would make once he got to work. A box, directly outside of the shop door, was blocking his way. Preparing to shove it out of the way with his foot, a noise made him pause. There it was again, a whimper. Sighing, he bent to investigate.

It was not a puppy or a kitten, as he thought. Staring at the contents, Joe saw a baby. A single man, aged thirty-five, he was not sure what to do next. The thought of picking it up terrified him. Choosing to pick up the box instead, he took it into the shop and made a call.

"Hello, yes, I'm not sure who I need. Police and an ambulance I suppose." Joe told the emergency services operator.

"Tell me what the problem is, Sir, and I will advise you what you need."

"Okay. I've come into work this morning, at the convenience store on St Martins Road, and I found a box outside. There's a baby in it."

"Is it alive?"

"Yes."

Joe gave his name and was told that the requested police and ambulance were on their way. Hesitating, should he leave the child alone, the urge to make the, much needed, coffee won and he headed for the staff room. A few sips and everything seemed more manageable. The police would come, ask a few questions, and then take the baby away.

"Mr Billings?" the police had arrived.

"Here it is. It was outside the front door. I heard a noise, thought it was an animal and then, when I had a look, well, bit of a shock really."

"Do you have CCTV here?"

"Inside the shop, yes, outside no."

The policewoman checked the baby while her partner carried on asking questions and surveying the scene.

"Did you pick the baby up?"

"God, no. I picked up the box. I don't know anything about babies, didn't want to hurt it or anything."

"Did you see anyone near the box?"

"No. There wasn't anyone around at 5.30am. Didn't even see any cars go past me."

"Okay, Mr Billings. We will have to look around, so you won't be able to open the shop as usual. That looks like the ambulance arriving. I better talk to them."

"Do you want a coffee?" Joe was very pleased when the officers said yes, because he definitely needed another one.