He’s such a good boy, she thought, and was glad that he’d soon be going to school so she wouldn’t have to drag him around with her. He’d also get a proper meal at school, something she wasn’t able to ensure he got daily, though she tried her best. February was chilly so Sarah found her kindling was still in good demand. Soon, though, the weather would turn, and during the warmer summer months she’d pick wild flowers and make little posies to sell in the High Street. She’d got the idea from a gypsy lady she’d once seen selling tiny bouquets of lavender. It didn’t make her a fortune, but it paid enough for her to provide basic nourishment for Tommy. The wind was beginning to whip up, so Sarah quickened her pace. ‘I’ll race you home,’ she said to Tommy as she passed him on the pavement.

‘It’s not fair, wait for me,’ Tommy called, ‘you’ve got taller legs than me.’

Sarah panted, waiting for Tommy to catch her up. She couldn’t help giggling at the silly faces he began to pull at her. He was such a joy, and she loved him as if he were her own son.

Annie was cold and fed up with hanging about outside the pub. She’d been standing on the corner for nearly two hours, yet hadn’t received even so much as an enquiry. She loathed touting herself on the streets, but had been forced to as business had been slow lately. It had been a while since she’d seen three of her usual punters and she was really feeling the effect of the pinch in her purse.

‘All right, Annie,’ a voice said.

Annie spun round to see Eddy hopping from foot to foot with his hands stuffed deeply into his donkey jacket. Though he was about the same age as Annie, his face was deeply lined, and his salt-and-pepper hair had receded.

‘Hello, stranger. Where have you been lately? You ain’t been round to see me for ages,’ Annie said. She kept her voice sweet in the hope of winning back one of her long-time regulars.

‘Yeah, sorry ’bout that, you know how it is.’

‘No, actually, I don’t, Eddy, so why don’t you enlighten me?’

Eddy hunched his shoulders, and Annie decided he looked shifty. He was hiding something, and she intended to find out what.

‘I’ve been … busy,’ Eddy answered, but Annie thought he still looked very uncomfortable with the conversation.

‘Too busy to come and see me for half an hour?’

‘I’ve been meaning to … I will come and see you.’

‘When?’

‘I … I dunno. Soon.’

‘This ain’t good enough, Eddy Sterling. We’ve been friends for years and I know when you’re up to something … Come on, spill the beans,’ Annie said sternly, placing her hands on her hips.