Late that evening, taking advantage of the fact that her father had retired to his study to work on some papers, and her mother was dozing quietly by the fire in the drawing room, Kate slipped away and made her way to the old schoolroom on the floor below the servants’ sleeping quarters. There was gaslight only on the first three floors of the house, although Sir Bartholomew had announced earlier that he was considering the addition of gas lighting throughout the building, which had become the main topic of conversation during the evening meal.

Neither of Kate’s parents had thought to enquire as to the success or failure of the soup kitchen, and that seemed to sum up their interest in their daughter’s venture. Kate was not surprised, and in a way she was relieved. The last thing she needed was criticism of her efforts when she had only just begun, and considering her unintentional involvement with the criminal element, it was better if her father remained in total ignorance of her activities. The only difficulty had arisen when her mother brought up the subject of inviting Spears to dine with them, placing Kate in the invidious position of having to promise faithfully that she would bring that gentleman home the following evening. It was the last thing she wanted. Spears was not noted for being co-operative, and he might refuse – she could only hope that he would.

By the light of a single candle, Kate explored the schoolroom, where memories lurked in deep shadows. A succession of governesses had led to a motley selection of tutors as Kate had grown from childhood to become an accomplished young woman. But she was not here on a sentimental journey, she had come to find paper, pen and ink, and she settled down to make a large poster, as Annie had suggested. Seated at the teacher’s desk, Kate gazed into the dim recesses of the schoolroom. In her mind’s eye she saw the child who studied on her own, obeying the whims of ageing spinsters, who had little hope of anything better in life. The sharp rap across the knuckles with a ruler, the punishing back brace to make her sit upright, the stinging blows of the cane across open hands – all these memories came flooding back to her.

Kate bent her head over her work, shutting out the past. She was a grown woman now and she would shape her own destiny, but in the meantime she had an aim in life and that was to help Ivy and a wider community. The poster was only the beginning, and it mattered little to her that she would also be helping to shield a criminal gang. Harry Trader might be using her, but, if setting up shop in his premises was the only way to get help to the needy, it was a price she was prepared to pay.