Annabel Marie was born on 4 December 2013 to Stephen and Jenny Ellacott, making Robin an aunt for the first time.¹ When looking at a photo of Annabel, Robin thinks she looks like a “wrinkled, bald red baby,” ² while Strike is reminded of an “angry-looking, bald monkey.” ³

“‘… Oh, Stephen, she’s… she’s beautiful.’ It was a lie, but nevertheless, tears prickled in the exhausted Robin’s eyes.” ⁴

Robin meets Annabel when she goes home to Masham for Christmas a few weeks after the birth.⁵ During her visit, Robin notices baby items taking over the sitting room⁶ and is kept awake most of the night by her screaming niece.⁷ Robin’s suggestion that Jenny drink alcohol to help the baby sleep goes unheeded.⁸

^{1, 2: Troubled Blood, Chapter 23
3: Troubled Blood, Chapter 24
4: Troubled Blood, Chapter 23
5, 6: Troubled Blood, Chapter 28
7, 8: Troubled Blood, Chapter 30}