Tommy stood up, and Sarah grabbed his hand before opening the door. To her horror she saw an old woman coming towards them. The woman’s back was bent and she was walking with a cane, but Sarah was amazed at the speed of the woman’s pace. Her hair was long and grey, which put Sarah in mind of a witch. She knew she should run but fear froze her to the spot. She stood stunned and watched as the old woman stopped just yards in front of her and began to angrily wave her cane, shaking it at Sarah. She had no doubt that the woman was more than capable of hitting her with it.

‘Go on, clear orf. I’ve called the police, you thieving bloody gypsies,’ the woman screeched.

‘I – I’m sorry … we – we just needed somewhere to sleep,’ Sarah said fretfully.

‘Well, you ain’t kipping in my shed. Go on, bugger off.’

Sarah glanced at Tommy. The child looked terrified. She yanked on his hand, and within seconds they were through the gate, but she could still hear the old woman shouting obscenities.

Once they were back on the streets, Tommy seemed to relax. ‘We was really, really, really quiet so how did she know we was in her shed?’ he asked.

‘I have no idea,’ Sarah answered, shaking her head, but as she remembered the voice, she knew that Mr Sayers had saved them. The woman had called the police and if they hadn’t been woken, the rozzers would have been on them before they could have made their escape.

George was busy setting up his stall, but he couldn’t shake the thought of Sarah from his mind.

‘Penny for them,’ Roger called. ‘You look like you’ve been away with the fairies for the last half hour.’

First thing in the morning, George would normally be full of banter and larking around with the other costermongers, but today he felt subdued. If he’d been blessed with Roger’s fine face, he might have had the courage to ask Sarah on a date, but, as was usual for him, he’d let the opportunity slip him by and now deeply regretted it. He could have kicked himself. He just hoped she’d pass his way again soon. ‘Sorry, mate, just got stuff on my mind,’ George answered, and forced a smile.

‘Oh, yeah. That wouldn’t be the pretty little thing I saw you chatting up yesterday, would it?’

‘Cor blimey, mate! You don’t miss a thing, do you?’ George replied, his mood lightening.

‘You know me. You’ve gotta keep your eyes and ears open here. Seriously though, who was she?’

‘I ain’t got a clue. I saw her sitting on the kerb. She looked down on her luck, but all I know is her name’s Sarah and her little brother is Tommy and they ain’t got no parents.’