The big man took her hand and pulled her away from her father. Paddy watched her go, his heart wretched. He squeezed his hand over the two sovereigns and felt a tear force its way from his eye. He tried to justify his actions all the way home. But even drunk and befuddled, he couldn’t quite convince himself.

Eileen sat in the cab and listened to the clip-clop of the horse’s hooves as it trotted through a residential area. She gaped at the big town houses in wonderment, her fear of the man gone a little now since he had wrapped her in his cloak. It smelt lovely.

Dumas studied her profile as she watched the houses. She was going to be stunning in a few years, but until then he would have her. He liked them young, very young.

Five minutes later they stopped at a small detached house. Eileen noticed the garden especially. Even in the cold it smelt of lavender. Mr Dumas lifted her from the coach and carried her up the pathway. The door was opened by a girl in her late-teens who ushered them inside. Eileen was placed on the floor in the hallway. It had carpet and she dug her toes into the unfamiliar softness.

‘Get Mrs Horlock, would you, Cissy?’

‘Yes, sir.’ She gave a little bob and walked through a green baize door to the side of her.

‘You’re going to have a nice hot bath soon. Then we can have something to eat.’

Eileen didn’t answer. This man was talking to her as if they had been friends for years. There was something not right here. But the thought of food cheered her.

Then someone came bursting through the green baize door. Eileen jumped with shock. Rushing towards her was a small silver-haired woman. Her teeth had long gone and her mouth seemed to have caved in around the gums. Her face was a mass of wrinkles that all seemed to criss-cross one another. Thick white hair was scraped back off her face into a tight white cap. Bright hazel eyes surveyed Eileen from head to foot.

‘Cissy, take the cloak and leave it in the outhouse until we can disinfect it, then come down to the scullery and help me scrub this one.’ She jerked her head at Eileen as she spoke and then pulled the cloak from her. Cissy grabbed at it and disappeared once more through the door.

Mrs Horlock sucked her gums and then felt Eileen’s limbs, finally grabbing at her tiny breasts.

‘Sturdy, Mr Dumas, sir. Not a bad choice, if I might say so. Got good teeth. A few good meals and she’ll put some flesh on her bones.’

‘My sentiments entirely, Mrs Horlock. Now if you don’t mind, I’ll be in the morning room enjoying a brandy. Send Cissy along with her when she’s ready.’