He chuckles. ‘I know, I know. He doesn’t trust me any more than I trust him – but he’s got a good eye and he knows what sells. Tell him I’ll call again next week. Business is beginning to pick up again. People around here have money and they like to spend it. As long as they don’t recognise any of these as goods they might have mislaid a year ago, we’re all laughing, aren’t we?’

He reaches into his jacket, pulls out a pile of notes, folded, and places it on the counter.

‘And what about you? How do you fancy earning a spot of commission, while the doors are still closed?’

This was how it started with Ray, years ago. A few coins for a kiss and a hand down his trousers, and not a word to Solly. She doesn’t need his money these days. She doesn’t want it.

‘Thanks Ray, not today. I’ve got places to be.’

‘Ah, c’mon, sweetheart.’ He wraps an arm around her and his hand strokes the side of her waist. ‘I was thinking about you all night.’ His thumb begins to rub to a faster rhythm. ‘We’re so good together, me and my little girl.’ He leans in and kisses her ear, wetly, generating old sensations of repugnance.

‘Fuck off, Ray. Not now. I’ve told you: I have places to be.’ She pushes him away and gathers up the cash. ‘People to see.’

‘Billy Walsh, you mean?’ There’s a sneer on his face.

‘I’m only here for Solly today. And for his money. So, now we’re done, I’ll be on my way.’

‘Steer clear of Billy. He’s no good for you.’

She rolls her eyes, tucks her handbag back under her arm, heads for the door and turns the key. ‘Goodbye, Ray.’

She steps on to the pavement and takes a deep breath of the air.

She can still smell the shit.

She has little else to do before meeting Maggs later as planned, so decides to wander through St James’s Park and along the wide roads until she finds herself on a smart street in Kensington. She likes this part of London. There could be rich pickings here, if she were not having to dance to Annie Richmond’s tune and hand over her steals all the time. The rules will be different when she’s in charge. Billy might think she’s growing cocky, but she can take anything she wants, if she puts her mind to it.