The next week she worked with feverish speed. In her head she listened to the music of her favourite hymns, the more energetic the better! When wilt thou save the people, O God of mercy, when? boomed in her head and she was so absorbed that she did not notice the mutterings going on around her.

By the Wednesday, she was surprised, when the bell went for their dinner break, to find Lizzie standing next to her. Lizzie was looking round her anxiously, as if to check that no one else was listening.

‘I wanted to say something to yer,’ she whispered. ‘Come outside and I’ll tell yer.’

But as they made to leave the workroom, a number of the women, including Doris and Hetty, stood barring their way.

‘I dunno what you’re doing with ’er, Lizzie,’ a younger, gaunt-faced woman sneered. ‘You want to stick with yer own if you know what’s good for yer.’

Annie felt truly intimidated, but she wasn’t damn well going to show it. She drew herself up, straight-backed, and stared brazenly at them as if they were one of her Sunday-school classes. Who did these people think they were, coming and standing in her way? Annie Hanson was not used to anyone thwarting her!

‘You’re spoiling everything for the rest of us.’ Doris was in the middle, arms folded. She was enjoying her power and her voice was menacing. ‘Yer’d better cut it out – or else.’

‘I was going to tell her,’ Lizzie said. She seemed intimidated by Doris as well. Annie felt a lump come into her throat suddenly. For all her bravado, she knew she needed someone to stand up for her, because she was lost and had no idea what was going on. All the angry-looking eyes around her seemed to bore into her. And Lizzie, for all she looked a poor, worn-out little thing, seemed to have the other women’s respect.

‘Well, you’d better flaming tell her, or there’ll be nothing for any of us – and God knows, you need it more’n most, Lizzie.’

Annie felt she must say something. What was this crime she had committed?

‘Tell me what?’ she asked, keeping her voice soft and timid.

‘If you don’t know, yer need to find out, quick.’ A woman pushed forward. Annie knew her name was Hilda. She was handsome with black hair and a tough, forbidding expression, and Annie felt respect for her. She knew Hilda had six children and she was a hard worker.

‘Yer on piecework now, right? If you keep on the way yer going now, they’ll cut the rate and there’ll be less in everyone’s wages.’ Hilda leaned forward and pushed her face close towards Annie’s. Annie could smell her sweat. ‘And my family ain’t going ’ungry ’cause of you. Gorrit? You ease up – or else.’