‘Yeh, a wife and three bairns, so I’ve got to earn enough to feed and clothe them.’

That was also the new passenger’s mission, except that he was newly married with a wife who would work until she bore children. ‘I’d be happy if she didn’t have any just yet,’ he said morosely, ‘but I expect she will. You know what women are like.’

Harry and the driver exchanged glances. ‘Nowt to do wi’ you, I suppose?’ the cabby grunted.

The passenger shook his head. ‘I’ve telled her I don’t want any yet, but I don’t think she was listening. That’s why I’m going into Hull; mebbe my job prospects will be better there. I might try for shipping, or mebbe loading on ’docks.’

They pulled into the market town of Hedon to drop off supplies, and picked up a woman passenger. Harry had had enough of the gloomy young man so he gave up his seat at the front and sat in the back with the crates. The young man got out, saying he needed the privy, and shot off to the nearest hostelry. The driver waited for five minutes and then set off again.

‘I’m not hanging about,’ he muttered. ‘I’m not here for ’good of my health; my time means money,’ and he cracked the whip and moved off at a spanking trot out of Hedon, along the wide road which had once been marshland alongside the Humber estuary, past the docks and the tops of cranes and the tall masts of schooners and ships prepared to sail to every country and seaboard known to mankind, until they crossed the bridge over the River Hull and turned right, and the driver lifted his whip in salutation to the King Billy statue – or was it, Harry wondered as he scanned the town, in acknowledgement of the hostelry of the same name – as they reached the edge of Market Place, where the carrier stopped.

Harry helped the woman down before turning to pay the driver, who shook his head when Harry offered his fare.

‘No need to pay me until you return,’ he said.

‘It might not be today,’ Harry reminded him, ‘so I’d rather give it you now. I don’t like owing money.’

The driver gave an appreciative nod. ‘Good lad,’ he said. ‘Hope you get on all right.’ He told Harry to cross the town and come out on the eastern side. ‘Look for North Bridge over ’river,’ he said, ‘and then turn left, and that’ll bring you into ’industrial area wi’ mills and factories and what not. You’re sure to find summat to your liking.’