Kate could just make out a mumbling assent from upstairs, followed by the sound of furniture being dragged over bare boards.

‘Thank you,’ she said grudgingly.

‘Make sure he puts them back for this evening’s meeting.’ Harry opened the street door. ‘Good luck with the soup kitchen. I’ll send a few people along at midday. There’s nothing like a queue to attract others to stand in line.’

‘Are you always so cynical?’ Kate demanded crossly.

‘I’m told it’s part of my charm.’ Harry stepped outside onto the pavement, tipped his hat and strode off.

‘You want to watch him,’ Jenny said in a low voice. ‘I’ve met his sort before.’

‘Don’t worry. I can handle Mr Trader.’ Kate was about to close the door, but she was overcome with curiosity and she could not resist watching him as he walked down the street with a swagger in his step. Not that it was any of her business where Harry Trader was headed, but she was suddenly alert and listening to the sweetest music she had ever heard. On the corner of Cable Street and Leman Street, sheltering from a sudden downpour beneath the railway bridge, Kate saw a young girl playing a concertina. Trader stopped to speak to her. She did not look him in the face, but continued to play while nodding in apparent agreement. There was something about his attitude towards the girl that suggested they were old acquaintances, and he kissed her on the cheek before going on his way. Kate was tempted to go out and speak to the talented musician, but someone tapped her on the shoulder and she spun round to see Jenny standing at her side.

‘What’s the matter?’

‘Nothing. You was in a dream, miss. But we still got work to do. Ivy says we need bread to go with the soup.’

Kate nodded. ‘Yes, of course. I have some money left. If you run to the bakery along the street I’ll help Spears to set up the tables.’ She was about to close the door but the strains of a haunting melody filled the air with sweetness, despite the din from the docks and the rumble of traffic. Kate sighed. ‘That girl is very talented,’ she said softly. ‘I’ve never heard anything but jigs and sea shanties played on a concertina.’

‘My uncle Joe used to play a squeeze-box at weddings and funerals, as well as every Saturday night in the pub, but he didn’t make it sound like that.’ Jenny held her hand out for the money. ‘Ta. I’ll be as quick as I can.’

‘Get some peppercorns and mace, if you can,’ Kate said hastily, but Jenny was already on her way, and Spears was bumping a table down the stairs, accompanying each step with a loud expletive.