Inside the house is all hustle and bustle. Mistress Josephine in the parlour marching up and down ordering some slave girls to take down the curtains for washing. Making them pull up the carpets so the floor can get scrubbed. Cover up the chairs to keep out the dust when the dusting begins.

‘There you are, little … What’s your name, boy?’ she ask me when I enter, stand by the door.

‘Is William,’ giving her me best smile.

‘I see,’ but the way she say it, it make me close down me smile in a hurry.

‘Follow me,’ and she lead me back into the kitchen where Winnie rolling out dough. ‘Clean yourself up, Winnie, then take William to the shops. I won’t have slaves looking like they just stepped out of a cow pasture. Take this list and show him where to get things.’

‘Yes, Mistress Josephine.’

Within a very short time me following Winnie down Market Street. She know everybody we pass. Say, ‘Good morning,’ and nod her head. I try to do the same thing except they look down them nose, just ignore me.

First stop is a shop and it only selling clothes for men. As soon as Winnie enter, a brown-skinned man step out from behind the counter. Leave the gentleman him talking to. Come right over to us.

‘Morning, Miss Winnie,’ him say.

‘Morning, Mister Potts.’

‘And how is Mistress Josephine this morning?’ and I can see him hoping to receive a special little mention from her.

‘Just fine, Mister Potts. Just fine.’

When nothing is forthcoming, him sigh and ask, ‘How can I be of assistance?’

Winnie nod in my direction. ‘Mistress want him to have a better set of clothes.’

Mister Potts barely look at me, just nod to the assistant, who pull aside a curtain. Show me to a little room at the back. Pull out a measuring tape. Start to measure me up, just the way I see Stella do when she making clothes for Massa. Take her a long time to sew, so is a surprise when the assistant open up a cupboard and show me what him call hand-me-downs hanging on the rack. I try on a few different ones till a pair of pants and shirt fit me good. While this happening the assistant don’t say a word just bundle up me old clothes.

‘Will you be taking these with you? Or should I throw them away?’

‘Of course I want dem,’ not knowing if the hand-me-downs is a loan or a gift.

When we head back into the front of the shop, I see Winnie give a few coins to Mister Potts.

‘Please give Mistress Josephine my regards,’ looking me over like I am no longer a mongrel dog. ‘I look forward to attending the celebration tomorrow evening.’