‘Why are you here?’ he asked. ‘Is your mam all right? If she’s come to any harm, I need to know.’

‘I’m not talking on the street.’ Casting her eyes to right and left, Lottie satisfied herself that they weren’t being watched. If she was to tell him where her mam was, and make him pay into the bargain, it wouldn’t do for all and sundry to see them together – especially now, when her dad was out for blood.

The walk to the station wasn’t far, down towards the boulevard and up along Ainsworth Street, and there it was, a grand building with iron structures and huge arches at the entrance.

The small, homely cafe was situated inside. With its pretty net curtains, young, friendly waitresses and inviting smells of newly baked bread and hot soups, it was very popular, though for the moment, and much to Lottie’s relief, there were few customers about. ‘Yes, sir, can I take your order?’ With her rosy cheeks and ready smile, the young woman was a breath of fresh air.

Jack gave the order. ‘One toasted teacake and a pot of tea for two, please.’

The order was soon delivered, but not quickly enough for Lottie, who wanted the whole thing over and done with. In a soft, intimate voice, she began, ‘You want our mam to come away with you, ain’t that right?’

He snorted. ‘Huh! There’s not much you don’t know, is there?’

‘How much would it be worth if I were to tell you summat?’

He studied her for a moment, wondering how someone so young could be so mercenary. ‘Depends on what you have to tell me.’

‘Summat that might get our mam to come away with you.’

Slapping his wallet on the table, Jack kept his hand over it. ‘There’s more than a guinea in there,’ he confided quietly. ‘If I could persuade your mam to come away with me, there’d be another guinea on top of that.’

Bending forward, she smiled up at him. ‘How do I know I can trust you?’

Sitting back in his seat, he took a long, deep breath. ‘My God! You’re a right little rogue, aren’t you, eh?’ Moving in closer, he looked her in the eye. ‘I don’t know what game you’re playing, young lady, but I’ll warn you now: if you’re trying to get one over on Jack Mason, you’d best think again!’

Lottie was adamant. ‘I’m telling you… summat happened last night, after you’d gone. I’m sure our mam would never have gone with you before. But if you were to ask her now, she’d be of a different mind, I reckon.’

‘Don’t talk to me in riddles.’ Grabbing the girl by the wrist, he held her in a vice-like grip. ‘If you’ve something to say, then say it.’

Having faced her manic father, Lottie was unafraid. ‘The money first.’

Opening his wallet, Jack took out two ten-shilling notes and a shilling coin. ‘Well?’

Reaching out, Lottie took the money. ‘There was real trouble after you’d gone. Early this morning, it was. Me dad never came home till one o’clock.’