Emma cut him off when she said, ‘I would be willing to pay you several months in advance, Mr Lowther.’ Emma knew she had the winning hand, because she had cash. Everyone loved cash.

‘How many months?’ Joe ventured, feeling suddenly uncomfortable and hot around the collar. This girl had stunned him, her emerald eyes totally focused on him.

Emma, fully aware of the effect she was having on him, smiled at him. ‘I’m not sure what the rent is, but I would be prepared to give you six months in advance. Surely that shows my good faith, and also my belief in myself.’

Joe was obviously taken aback. ‘Six months?’ he repeated, his voice rising an octave.

‘Yes. And I am being very rude, Mr Lowther. I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Emma Harte.’

‘How do you do, Miss Harte.’

‘It’s Mrs Harte,’ Emma corrected him, with another smile.

He nodded, wondering why he was filling up with disappointment.

Emma, seeing his confusion, knowing he was attracted to her, went in for the kill. Opening her reticule, she took out the bundle of cash and began to count the money. ‘Now, how much is the rent?’

Joe, to his surprise, told her, ‘A guinea a week,’ he answered.

‘Well, that makes it four guineas a month,’ Emma said, as always fast with numbers. Paying no attention to Joe, she peeled off the notes and laid them on the table. ‘I think we have a deal, don’t we, Mr Lowther?’

‘I suppose we do.’ Joe nodded, thinking this extraordinary young woman had somehow got the better of him. But had she really? Glancing at the bills, he knew he hadn’t done badly himself. He said, ‘I’ll just go and get you the rent book, Mrs Harte, and the keys to the shop.’

‘Thank you, Mr Lowther.’

Emma smiled at his back as he went out of the room, almost delirious with happiness and excitement. She could hardly contain herself.

When he returned and handed her the rent book and keys, she took them from him with a wide smile on her face. ‘Thank you, Mr Lowther.’ She glanced at the money on the table. ‘Aren’t you going to count it?’

‘I trust you,’ he said.

Emma thought she was floating home on clouds. Her step was firm and swift as she hurried back to Laura’s, chuffed and full of excitement. She couldn’t wait to tell Blackie and Laura. But when she went into the cellar kitchen, only Blackie was there. He was reading the racing sheet he favoured.

He put the paper down and jumped up, went to greet her. After hugging her tightly, he smiled. ‘I don’t know where ye’ve been but I’ve never seen ye look so … elated.’

‘I’ve just rented my first shop, Blackie.’

He held her away from him, looking genuinely surprised. ‘Have ye really?’