Kate and Jenny set off early next morning, heading first for the market and then for the premises in Cable Street.

Spears greeted them with a surly expression that emphasised the deep wrinkles on his face, putting Kate in mind of a pickled walnut. She controlled the urge to laugh with difficulty.

‘I suppose you want me to lug the tables back downstairs,’ Spears said crossly.

‘Yes, if you please, Mr Spears.’ Kate managed a smile.

‘I don’t please. I had to get them back upstairs last evening for the meeting. I’ve got a bad back, I’ll have you know. Every movement is pure agony.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ Kate said, trying to sound as if she meant it. ‘But it is for a good cause.’

‘No one considers whether I might need help or not.’ Spears stamped over to the door, flung it open and allowed it to slam behind him as he thudded up the stairs.

‘I can see that he’s not going to be much help today,’ Jenny said, grinning. ‘I’ll go and see to the fire in the range. He’s probably let it go out, just to spite us.’

Kate took the rolled-up poster from her basket and shook it out. ‘I’ll paste this to the window. And I’ve had another idea, although I don’t suppose Spears will find it very appealing.’

‘What do you want him to do?’ Jenny asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

‘I’ve seen men with billboards strapped to their front and back,’ Kate said, chuckling. ‘We’re going to turn him into a sandwich man.’

Jenny doubled up with laughter, but the sound of Spears bumping a piece of furniture down the stairs made her beat a hasty retreat to the kitchen. Kate could hear Jenny chuckling even as Spears erupted into the room, cursing beneath his breath as he gave the table a mighty shove.

‘It were a bad day when I opened the door to you, miss. I had a nice peaceful life until you walked in and ruined everything.’

‘Look at it this way, Mr Spears,’ Kate said reasonably. ‘While we are here giving free food to those in need, the police are unlikely to raid these premises. Or so I’ve been told.’

Spears eyed her suspiciously. ‘What d’you know about the goings-on upstairs?’

‘Nothing, Mr Spears, and it’s better that way. Now if we could have the other table and the chairs brought down here that would be very helpful.’

‘I ain’t your slave,’ Spears grumbled as he hesitated at the foot of the staircase. ‘You can’t tell me what to do.’

Kate knew that he had a point, but she was not about to let him get an advantage over her. ‘Mr Spears, I value your co-operation so much so that my parents have invited you to dine with us in Finsbury Square this evening.’