‘They aren’t secrets.’ The man smiled at her. ‘Mrs Young knows we usually have a few copies of Dr Allinson’s book in the office. I believe it provides the most comprehensive information on the subject, and of course, it has been written by an eminent doctor and a proponent of Hygienic Medicine.’

Ursula frowned. ‘Hygienic Medicine?’

Her dining companion answered the question for her. ‘Good health through a vegetarian diet, plenty of exercise, fresh air and regular bathing.’

‘I see.’ Ursula looked up at the server. ‘Well, if you do have a copy of the book, perhaps you could add it to my bill?’

He nodded. ‘I’ll check with the manager and leave it at the desk for you.’ The café bell jangled as the door opened and he hurried away to greet another small group of customers.

‘Tell me about yourself, Ursula.’ It was a demand. ‘I do love to meet new women. Fresh company is so stimulating.’

‘I’m not sure what you might find of interest.’ Ursula felt it would be rude not to comply. ‘I live in between Morningside and Newington, with my husband and his two children,’ she began, unsure of what was required. ‘It’s not far from the Observatory, actually. My husband’s first wife died eighteen months ago.’ She stopped, unaccustomed to providing a curriculum vitae to a complete stranger, and looked around the café for inspiration. On the wall opposite was a poster emblazoned with the word ‘CENSUS’ in capital letters. ‘This will be our first census as a family.’

Mary Young leaned forward and spoke ever so slightly more softly. ‘And are you going to complete the form?’

‘My husband will do that, as head of the household. Those are the rules, surely?’

‘Not everyone will be obeying the rules, though, will they?’

‘They won’t?’ Ursula felt like a child who has unexpectedly stumbled into an adult world and doesn’t understand the vocabulary.

‘Do you read the newspapers, Ursula?’

‘I look briefly, over breakfast. My husband takes The Scotsman to work and it doesn’t usually come home with him in the evening.’ Ursula took the initiative at last. ‘Will you be completing it?’

There was a firm head-shake. ‘Definitely not, and my husband will not be doing it on my behalf either. I will not be counted if I do not count.’

‘I beg your pardon?’

‘If the government will not give me the vote, and allow my opinions to be heard, then they shall not count me in the population. The census questions are not legitimate anyway. No one should be filling it in, man or woman.’

‘Not legitimate?’ Ursula felt as though she was behaving like a parrot.