Kate stepped in between them. The mention of the police had unnerved her, and she wondered if Perry was aware that the premises were owned by a notorious criminal. If he knew about Harry Trader he might feel honour-bound to tell her father, and that would be the end of her attempts to feed those most in need. She was about to speak when the outer door burst open and the sound of running feet preceded Ivy and a brood of young children.

‘I didn’t expect to see you here, Perry.’ Ivy reached out to grab the hand of the oldest boy. ‘Stay still, Frankie. We’ve come at a bad time.’

‘Not at all,’ Kate said, smiling. The sudden appearance of the Harris family was a welcome distraction. ‘I’m sure we can find something for Frankie and his sister to do.’

‘If you’ll excuse me speaking out,’ Ivy said shyly, ‘I thought that my three eldest could go out and let people know we’re here.’

‘They could hand out leaflets, if you get some printed, Kate.’ Perry took a small notepad from his pocket and a stub of a pencil. ‘I could get some done quite quickly.’

‘If you’ll excuse me, Perry,’ Ivy said nervously, ‘but most folk round here can’t read anyway, and they’re the ones who most need a free meal. My nippers know who to tell.’

Kate nodded enthusiastically. ‘What a good idea. Of course I’ll pay your children for their trouble. I know you will be missing the money they usually earn if they help me, so I’ll make it up to you.’

‘Ta, miss,’ Frankie said eagerly. ‘Shall us go out now?’

The younger children were eyeing the loaves of bread that Kate and Jenny had purchased on the way to Cable Street, and Kate suspected that they had not yet eaten.

‘First of all you must find somewhere to sit and I’ll cut some bread for you. I think I might have a pot of jam in my basket, too.’

Frankie and May rounded up the younger children and they sat in a circle on the floor, waiting eagerly while Kate and Jenny prepared the food, passing the jammy bread to Ivy, who distributed it among the children.

‘You, too, Ivy.’ Kate handed her a crust spread with strawberry jam.

Ivy looked as if she would refuse, but the aroma of the still warm bread was too much for her and she sunk her teeth into it with a sigh of contentment.

‘I’ve eaten, thank you,’ Annie said when Kate offered her a slice. ‘But I will play a tune for the little ones, if I may?’

‘That would be lovely. You play, Annie, and I’ll make a pot of tea for us workers.’ Kate turned to Perry with a smile. ‘What about you? Have you had breakfast?’