‘Kate! I didn’t expect to see you today. What a lovely surprise.’ She picked up the empty willow basket. ‘Come inside where it’s warm.’ She entered the cottage, leaving the basket and bag of wooden pegs in the porch. ‘I’ll make a pot of tea as it’s you. I have to be careful with money now that we’re supporting ourselves, but I’m not complaining. We’re doing very nicely, thanks to you.’

‘I’m glad.’ Kate pulled up a chair and sat down at the table. ‘You seem to be very comfortable here, Ivy.’

‘It’s wonderful being a family again, and living here there’s no temptation for Ted to get in with the wrong people.’ Ivy busied herself making a pot of tea. ‘But what’s happening in London? Why have you come back so soon?’

‘That’s partly why I’ve come to see you.’ Kate accepted a cup of tea with a nod and a smile. ‘Harry and Perry have been working with the police and they have a plan to catch Monks and his men. I’ve explained it all to Joe and he’s willing to be a part of it. Do you think Ted will help?’

Ivy took a seat opposite Kate. ‘I dunno. You’d better tell me exactly what this plan is and whether it would put my Ted in danger of being on the wrong side of the law.’

‘It won’t do that, I promise.’ Kate leaned her elbows on the table, fixing Ivy with a serious gaze. ‘I’m going to tell you everything, but it mustn’t go any further.’

‘You know you can trust me. What can my Ted do for you?’ Ivy listened in silence while Kate outlined the plan.

‘So, you see, Ivy,’ Kate concluded. ‘We will all be able to live a normal life when Monks is locked up. Harry will get a full pardon and Lady Lyndon will be able to return to her home in Finsbury Circus. My mama and Giles will be married at Easter and we can breathe easily again.’

‘And what about you?’ Ivy said earnestly. ‘Will you marry Harry?’

Kate felt herself blushing and she looked away. ‘That depends.’

‘On what?’ Ivy asked, chuckling. ‘Come on, Kate. You can tell me.’

‘Life has been so uncertain and I’ve hardly seen Harry since we returned from India. Ask me again after the ball, and I might be able to give you an answer.’

‘Are you going to the ball, Kate?’

‘Yes, of course, I am. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’

‘Then you’ll need a lady’s maid in attendance. Preferably one who can keep calm in a fight, and I’ve seen enough of those when we lived in Wapping. Them villains won’t get close to you while I’m around. I can use me fists if I have to.’