Blackie paused, cleared his throat and added, “It would be better ter go and find Moira during the day. Or ye could send her a letter and ask her to meet ye somewhere. I honestly can’t let ye go ter the Ham Shank at night, to be sure I can’t … faith and it’s a cesspool. A slum, Finn, not at all like Upper Armley, where it’s safe, quiet like.”

“It sounds bad, it does, Blackie. Still, I do want ter meet this girl. I knows I looks like a ha’porth of nowt, but I am strong.” He bent his arm, and added, “I’ve got ever such strong muscles.” Finn grinned. “Awright, I’ll go ter the Bank during the day. I have faith ye knows best.”

“Good lad,” Blackie said, relief echoing. “I knew ye’d see the sense of it.…” Blackie paused, and waved as he spotted his uncle coming up the drive. To Finn he said quickly, “Don’t say a word about the Ham Shank in front of Uncle Patrick.”

“I won’t,” Finn promised. “He’d get his knickers in a twist if he thought I might wander off there. Don’t ye think?”

Blackie nodded, stood up when Patrick arrived at the back steps, and exclaimed, “Ye’ve arrived at the right time, Uncle Pat. We’ve just finished our sandwiches. So come on, let’s go inside!”

“Hello, Blackie. Hello, Finn. And yes, I’m right on the dot. So take me to see the kitchen. I’m sure this is special.”

“It’s a masterpiece,” Finn said. He then turned to his friend’s uncle and said, “Let me get ye some dusters to tie round yer shoes. The floor is all new tiles, black and white. Blackie doesn’t want it to get scuffed by our boots.”

Patrick nodded and waited outside on the steps. Finn followed Blackie into the kitchen, sat down at the table and tied on the yellow cotton dusters he’d left there earlier.

Blackie motioned for his uncle to enter and they both sat next to Finn and put the dusters over their boots in silence.

Patrick was eager to see his nephew’s work, knowing how much effort had gone into this room. Nonetheless, he was astonished when he stood in the center of the floor and looked around a few seconds later.

In fact, he was somewhat awestruck by the extraordinary effect Blackie had created: the sparkling white walls, the smart new cupboards, the modern range and the new windows. He exclaimed, “Lad, you’ve outdone yourself. The room’s sensational. All this white and the big window over there make such a statement!”

“It’s really like a wall,” Blackie said. Taking hold of his uncle’s arm, he led him over, and continued, “It doesn’t open. There are windows over there, and they open, but not this glass.”