In the days that followed Kate felt bound to accompany her mother to various fashion houses and modistes where the wedding dress and trousseau were discussed at length. She herself was expected to act as maid of honour, and that entailed poring over fashion plates with her mother. They had decided that although traditionally still in mourning, they would choose fabrics in neutral colours so that they did not cause offence to anyone. Kate was growing bored with the whole process, and despite a visit to Perry’s chambers in Lincoln’s Inn, she was no nearer to finding out what had happened to Harry. The police were saying nothing about the case, and Kate was becoming increasingly frustrated. In the end she made up her mind to go to look for him on her own.

On the fifth day since their return to Finsbury Square Kate was up early. She dressed in some of Jenny’s old clothes that had been set aside for charity, and she wrapped an old cloak around her head and shoulders before venturing out on a cold, wet February morning. She was always conscious of the threat posed by the Monks gang, and keeping in character as a poor woman, she walked to Cable Street where she had opened the soup kitchen. The fire damage appeared to be minimal, but the windows were filthy and boarded up in places where they had been broken, and the front door looked as though someone had attempted to kick it to pieces. She knocked in the vague hope that Spears might still be living above the shop, but there was no response. She backed away, standing on the kerb, looking up at the grimy windows of the meeting room and she caught a fleeting glance of a familiar face. She went to hammer on the door with her fist.

‘Spears, I know you’re in there. Let me in. It’s Miss Martin.’

She was vaguely aware of curious looks from passers-by but she was determined to speak to Spears. If anyone knew where she might find Harry it would be Augustus. She knocked repeatedly until she saw a shadow on the other side of the glass and heard the sound of bolts being drawn back. The handle turned and the door opened just a crack.

‘Are you alone, miss?’

‘Yes, Spears, and I’m perished. Let me in.’

Augustus opened the door just wide enough to allow her to slip inside. ‘What d’you want? Haven’t you had enough trouble here?’

‘Where is Harry?’ Kate faced him with a determined lift of her chin. ‘I’m not leaving until you tell me everything you know.’

Spears backed away. ‘I don’t know nothing, miss.’

‘And I don’t believe you. If anyone can help me to find Harry it’s you.’

‘I’m flattered, but I tell you I don’t know where he is at this moment in time.’