She had guessed correctly. He has his own system, just like Billy and Charlie Wagstaff at the Crown. It will not involve a small child like Alfie Hibbert, though.

‘Away from the club, and the eyes and ears of our more distinguished members, we have concerns in other directions, of course. The buying and selling of goods and services, you might say. The usual sort of thing. Alcohol, cigarettes, cocaine, women. Here, too, we are building quite a reputation, but we manage to stay out of the line of vision of the police. They are much too busy chasing local gangs like the Elephants and Mr Kimber’s ruffians from Birmingham to notice what happens here. And if they do notice, my many wealthy and well-connected associates are able to smooth over any perceived irregularities.’ He does not take his eyes off her as he talks.

‘What am I here for? I’ve told you, I work for Annie Richmond, not you.’

‘That’s not what I’ve heard. I’ve heard you found yourself in trouble with Diamond Annie – that you haven’t been out with the Forties for a month. You look like you haven’t washed or eaten properly for days, and the bruises on your face are only just fading so she must have hit you pretty hard. You’re a mess, sweetheart, and you’ll need money soon, if not already. A girl like you won’t manage without cash for her silk stockings. You can’t live by pilfering on your own.’

‘Billy,’ she grimaces. ‘What did he tell you? I don’t need Annie Richmond or the Forties. I can manage on my own.’ She tries to believe it. ‘I’ve been hoisting for years.’

‘It’s your choice, but if you don’t come and work for me, then I’m very certain that you’ll be in prison by the end of the week. There are police officers who will follow you, watch your every move, wait until you’ve left a store and then ask you to hand over your coat. They’ll pull up your skirts until they find what it is you’ve lifted.’

‘The coppers can’t catch me,’ she scoffs, sounding braver than she feels. ‘They never catch me.’

‘Ah, but that’s because they don’t spend all day with you, following your every move. I can make sure that they do.’

‘You can order the police around? Like the waitresses and the cloakroom boy?’

He says nothing. The question hangs in the air.

‘So, what is it, exactly, that you want me to do?’ She knows already. She needs the money. At least until Annie takes her back.

He watches her for a moment, as if he’s deciding what to say.

‘What is the most important commodity, Ruby? The most valuable thing a person can buy or sell… Or steal?’

She blinks at him. His question has surprised her. ‘Diamonds?’