He knew the family would be split apart as soon as they passed through the workhouse doors and become inmates. Segregated according to age and sex. She was following him down the street.

‘As I said, I am sorry for your plight.’

She shook her head, in disgust. ‘Gi’ me the money, then.’

Gunson handed over all the coins he had on him. ‘I’m sorry it’s not in my power to help further.’

She looked away from him, flinching away from a passing carriage, her hand rubbing her belly.

‘May I help you cross?’ he said.

‘Aye, I suppose.’

On the other side of the street she walked away without a word.

Gunson opened the front door of his house to the sound of his wife at the piano. He didn’t pretend to have any musical knowledge. He considered himself a man of science and there was art enough in that. But he was forced to admit there was a particular comfort in the fluttering ribbons of velvet echoing through the house from Charlotte’s tender fingertips to his tired ears.

She stopped playing abruptly when he entered the parlour.

‘John. You look worn out.’

‘The inquiry,’ he said. ‘John Webster has appointed himself judge, jury and executioner.’

‘Come.’ She led him to the card table and took out a deck. Gunson smiled at her, bemused. ‘A game of Patience,’ she said. ‘You can assist.’

He watched her lay the first seven cards face down then turn the first over and work through the remaining rows. He had to admit the elegance of her gestures had a soothing effect.

‘Will there be criminal charges, then?’

‘I don’t know. Five of clubs under six of hearts. I have an opportunity to give more evidence when the hearing resumes tomorrow.’

‘Oh? Aces along the top, silly.’

‘Yes, I knew that.’ He edged one of the rows of cards back into perfect alignment. ‘I have a theory, well, more than a theory. I should admit I have Craven to thank for it. He spoke with a man who lived close by Dale Dyke who told him that cracks had appeared in the walls of his house before the dam burst.’

‘But why must you give the evidence? Why not Craven, or this other man whose house was cracked?’

Gunson flapped his hand impatiently. ‘Do you see what this means? Would you like to hear it?’

She carefully lay down another card. ‘Of course. Go on.’

‘Imagine, an ancient underground spring, undetected despite our best efforts, that has caused a landslip that undermines the embankment. Cracks appear in a building close by, hours before the burst. Now, how could that occur without some subsidence of the land?’ He leaned back triumphantly. ‘You’ve missed that one there.’

‘I see it.’ She placed the jack of spades card under the queen of hearts. ‘I recall your survey of the land had been a thorough one. I remember you talking about it. I remember you debating whether you should move the site of the reservoir slightly.’