‘I loved it, Billy. The look on that girl’s face when we told her to move, and that feeling when the car took off down the street. It was amazing.’

He leans over and kisses her before handing over the cigarette.

‘You’re a natural.’

‘I am. I dunno why Annie Richmond doesn’t send me out for jewellery more often. The diamonds stick to my fingers. I’m born to sparkle.’

He laughs.

‘I mean it, Billy.’ She draws on the cigarette and passes it back, propping herself on an elbow. ‘Why am I pocketing paste brooches and shoving cheap blouses into my skirts when I could be lifting pearls and diamonds? She doesn’t see my talent like you do.’

‘She does see it. That’s why she sent you out with me. But she’s running a long campaign. You’re more use to her and to the Forties out on the street than you are in Holloway. She’s protecting you.’

Ruby snorts. ‘I’m more likely to be picked up by the coppers when I’m standing waiting for Maggs and Alice.’

‘That’s true. Alice is hobbling about like an old woman lately.’

‘It’s not her fault.’ Ruby gives a short sigh and picks at the bedsheet. ‘She’s hurt her hip. Bastard husband threw her down the stairs. She’s telling everyone that she fell off a ladder, but all her neighbours know what happened.’

Alice lives next door to Maggs. It’s hard not to know about George Dunning’s filthy temper when the walls are as thin as paper. It was Maggs who picked Alice up from the floor, once she knew that George had gone out to the Crown.

‘She’s always been slow, though. Maggs tells me I’m a daydreamer, but Alice is always just standing there, staring into space. She’s Maggs’s oldest friend besides Annie, of course, so she comes out with us. And we can keep an eye on her, keep her away from George when we’re out.’

Billy lies back, smoking. He won’t pass any criticism. George is a respectable ironmonger on the High Street and a respected burglar everywhere else. He is also one of the Elephant Boys, and loyalty is loyalty.

‘We should go downstairs,’ he says, handing back the cigarette. ‘We’ll be expected.’ He swings his legs off the bed, rubs a hand over his chin and stands up.