Kate took charge immediately, leaving Jenny to take care of the little ones while she and Ivy unpacked the food and sorted out the delivery from the ironmongers, which had arrived earlier. Ivy rolled up her sleeves and began peeling and slicing onions, while Kate dealt with the mountain of root vegetables. It was back-breaking work for Kate, who had never even buttered a slice of bread, let alone prepared soup for a large number of people, but she was determined to make a success of the venture. Ivy stoked the range, which Spears had lit earlier in the morning, and soon they had two huge pans filled with meat and vegetables, topped up with water. Ivy added salt and pepper before placing the lids on the pans.

‘I really enjoyed that, miss,’ Ivy said, beaming. ‘I used to work in a big kitchen before I married Ted. But if we’re going to serve soup we should have a slice of bread to go with it, if it’s going to be a proper meal.’ She hurried into the front room at the sound of the baby crying and Kate followed her.

Jenny rose from the floor where she had been keeping the twins, Nellie and Charlie entertained. She handed the crying baby back to its mother. ‘The soup smells good, but shouldn’t there be a table or two, and chairs? The diners can’t sit on the floor to eat.’

‘And bowls and spoons, too,’ Ivy added, cradling the baby in her arms.

‘Of course,’ Kate said, frowning. ‘There are bowls and spoons in the box from the ironmongers, but I think you’re right. We should offer bread and butter, too.’

‘Butter is too expensive but bread on its own is fine.’ Ivy hitched the baby over her shoulder, patting his tiny back. ‘We could thicken the soup by adding some pearl barley, and we do need some more peppercorns and maybe a spoonful of mace for flavouring.’

‘It’s more complicated than I thought,’ Kate said slowly. ‘But I agree we do need tables and chairs. I haven’t got the money to buy or even hire them. I just hope we have enough crockery.’

Ivy shook her head. ‘China gets broken. Tin plates or mugs will do, and as people get used to us they can bring their own.’

‘We have to let them know we’re here.’ Jenny glanced out of the window. ‘It’s not very obvious and if we don’t advertise in some way, no one will come.’

‘Oh, bother! I didn’t think of all that.’ Kate pushed a strand of hair back from her damp forehead with an impatient flick of her fingers. ‘I’ll get a good scolding at home if I fail at this.’