Even as she closed the door behind her, Kate was aware that the music had stopped and she experienced a sharp pang of disappointment. Somehow the girl’s playing had touched a chord in Kate’s heart and had left her open to a maelstrom of emotion. The pain of separation from Ash, and not knowing whether he was alive or dead, had found expression in the silvery notes that filled the air on a wet day in Whitechapel. The heat and dust of Delhi might be thousands of miles away, but the strains of a sentimental ballad had brought memories tumbling back into Kate’s consciousness.

The tap-tapping of a stick on the paving stones brought her abruptly back to reality, and she turned to see the young girl walking slowly towards her. The truth hit Kate with a sudden shock – the talented musician was blind.

‘Are you Kate?’ The girl’s voice was as soft and gentle as her music.

‘Yes, I am. How did you know that?’

A smile creased the girl’s pretty face. ‘Harry told me you were here.’

Kate reached out to lay her hand on the girl’s sleeve. ‘Why don’t you come inside? It’s going to rain again at any moment.’

‘Yes, I feel it coming, but I’m used to being out in all weathers.’

Kate opened the door and stood aside to allow the girl to pass. ‘May I ask your name?’

‘I’m Annie Blythe.’ She hesitated on the threshold, sniffing the air with an appreciative smile. ‘Something smells good.’

‘Would you care to be our first customer, Annie?’ Kate resisted the temptation to take the girl’s fragile hand and lead her to the table. The blind girl’s demeanour was one of quiet pride and self-assurance, despite her obvious disability, and Kate knew instinctively that she would not welcome undue attention, however well meant.

Using her stick to guide her, Annie made her way to the table where Jenny, Ivy and the children were seated.

Jenny sprang to her feet. ‘You can sit here, love. I’ve just finished.’

Annie nodded and set her concertina carefully on the table. ‘I can pay for my food.’

‘Just give us a tune on your squeeze-box,’ Jenny said cheerfully. ‘My name’s Jenny, by the way, and I love a bit of music.’ She patted Annie on the shoulder as she walked past her, heading for the kitchen.

‘And I’m Ivy. These are my nippers.’ Ivy hitched the baby onto her hip as she rose from the table. ‘You eat as much as you can, my dear. You look as though you need feeding up.’

Kate held her breath, hoping that this fragile creature with the face of an angel and a halo of fine golden hair, would not take offence at Ivy’s remark, but Annie merely smiled.