‘Well!’ She puffs out her lips. ‘I can see you’re ingratiating yourself with the locals.’ She looks at Fabien. ‘Just because we’re not getting into bed with them.’

‘Madame! Enough!’ says Fabien, and Alain comes to stand behind Cora.

‘I’m just saying.’ She points at Stephanie. ‘You know how these homeless types can be. I’ve told you! A leopard can’t change its spots, however you dress it up.’

Fury is bubbling inside me. A fury I haven’t felt before. And indignation on Stephanie’s behalf.

‘I said enough!’ says Fabien.

And then: ‘Let them pass.’ Cora turns and does a double-take at the sight of the smart, neatly presented man that Alain has become.

‘This lot are bringing down the neighbourhood,’ says Cora. ‘We’re known for homelessness, these days, in this town. No one will want to buy our houses. Prices will tumble.’

‘Be thankful you have a house,’ Alain practically growls.

‘Yes, not everyone is as lucky as you. But with people like Del helping them, they might just get a second chance,’ says Stephanie, sagging under the weight of the pan she’s carrying and the bread.

‘Now, let them pass,’ says Alain.

‘This place is for everyone,’ says Cora, waving her banner. ‘It’s for the residents.’

I have a light-bulb moment. ‘It was you, wasn’t it, Cora,’ I say, ‘who threw the beautiful blue settee into the river?’

She sniffs. ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’

I can tell she’s lying. It was her, all right. Her and her cronies. But I have no way of proving it, of course.

‘Well, I suggest you let us pass. There are hungry people here waiting to eat and I wouldn’t stand in their way if I were you,’ I say. ‘You know how these “homeless types” can be.’

She looks around nervously as Alain is joined by some of the other men. ‘Precisely why they shouldn’t be encouraged. But I’m not here for trouble,’ she says, when clearly she is, and starts to shuffle aside. ‘I’m here to protest, and protest I will,’ she says, waving her banner.