‘I can’t afford to be out of work. Miss Banks has it in for me because I get on well with the customers, but I try to be more like her.’

Judy met the girl’s anxious gaze with a smile. ‘Of course I’ll try it on, and if it looks well on me I’ll buy it myself even if I have to pay Rob back at a shilling a week for the rest of my life.’ She allowed the assistant to help her off with her serviceable merino jacket, which was at least five years old, and she shivered with pleasure at the feel of the velvet as it caressed her body through the thin cotton of her blouse.

The expression on Rob’s face when she walked towards him was enough to convince her that the mantle was worth every penny of the price, which she considered exorbitant.

‘That looks wonderful on you, Judy. You look like a queen.’

‘It’s very expensive,’ she said in a low voice. ‘But I’ll pay you back a little every week.’

He stood up, his smile fading into a frown. ‘No such thing. I won’t hear of it. This will be a thank-you present. You’ve done more for me than you can ever know.’ He turned to Miss Banks, who was standing beside the anxious shop assistant. ‘We’ll take the hat and the mantle. Miss Begg will wear both, so perhaps you’d wrap her things and send them to the address I’ll give you.’ He flashed a disarming smile at Miss Banks. ‘You run a very efficient department, madam. I’ll be delighted to commend you to your employer.’

Wearing the expensive mantle and gloriously extravagant hat, Judy felt like the most elegant woman in London as they strolled towards Oxford Circus. ‘Do you really know the owner of the shop, Rob?’

‘Of course not, but to be fair to the staff I will write a commendation, especially of the younger woman who found this lovely mantle for you. Now she has good taste and she’ll go far if the redoubtable Miss Banks will let her.’

‘Why do you care about someone you may never meet again?’

‘I felt sorry for her. I know what it’s like to be poor. I haven’t always had money, and I haven’t forgotten what it is to struggle to make a living. But let’s put all that aside. We’re here to have a good time. Where would you like to go next?’

‘I’ve never been to the zoo, but I’ve heard that there are lions and tigers and all manner of exotic animals to be seen.’

Rob raised his hand to hail a passing hansom cab. ‘The zoo, please, Cabby.’ He helped Judy to climb into the vehicle. ‘We’ll spend as much time there as you like,’ he said as he sat down beside her. ‘But I suggest tea at Gunter’s before we head back to the station. What do you say to that?’

She leaned against him and sighed happily. ‘It sounds too good to be true. I’ve really enjoyed today, Rob.’