Kate had risen particularly early one fine June morning. Sunlight streamed through her bedroom window and she could hear birdsong from the Square garden. It was a lovely day, but all was not well. Kate was down to her last few pennies and her allowance was not due until the beginning of July. She rose from her bed, washed and dressed as quickly as possible and let herself out of the house without disturbing anyone. With her wicker basket looped over her arm she set off for Cable Street, stopping along the way to purchase carrots and onions. There was still half a sack of potatoes in the kitchen, but there would be no meat in the soup today.

She let herself into the premises and was about to enter the kitchen when the door that led to the stairs burst open. Harry Trader was in need of a shave and his shirt hung loosely over his trousers as if he had slept in his clothes. He ran his hand through his already tousled hair.

‘What are you doing here at the crack of dawn, Miss Martin?’

‘It’s hardly that, sir. Anyway, I might ask the same of you.’ Kate looked him up and down. ‘Have you been here all night?’

‘That’s none of your business, but as it happens I was working late and I must have fallen asleep.’

‘I’m going to put the kettle on. You look as though you could do with a cup of strong tea. I think I have enough.’ Kate carried her basket into the kitchen and placed it on the table before inspecting the fire in the range. The embers were still glowing and with a little gentle persuasion she managed to get the fire going. She filled a kettle at the sink and placed it on the hob.

Harry stood in the doorway, fastening the buttons on his shirt. ‘Do you always arrive so early?’

‘No, but today I need to make the bread, and then I can make a start on peeling the vegetables.’

He eyed her curiously. ‘Where are your helpers?’

‘They’ll be here soon.’ Kate went to the larder and fetched flour, sugar, salt and yeast.

‘There’s a bakery on the corner. Why don’t you buy loaves? Surely it would save time?’

‘Yes, but this way is cheaper.’ Kate moved swiftly to the range to make the tea. ‘There’s a jug of milk on the marble slab. Would you fetch it, please?’

Harry raised an eyebrow but he did as she asked. ‘Where are the fishes?’

She stared at him blankly. ‘What fishes?’

‘Well, it seems as if you need a miracle if this amount of food is going to feed the five thousand.’

‘It isn’t funny,’ Kate said stiffly. ‘I’m doing my best.’ She took the pot to the table and selected two of the least cracked cups from a shelf above the sink.