Perry had advised her to take time off from the soup kitchen. He had even offered to lend her money until her funds were available, to enable Jenny and Ivy to continue the good work on their own, if only for a few days. Kate had refused, of course, insisting that hard work would be her salvation, but privately she felt her heart shattering into small shards. She knew she had to go on, even if her life held no meaning for her without Ash. She had hoped that he might come to England looking for her, but now that would never happen. The nagging void inside had turned her into an automaton, similar to the expensive toys that wealthy people brought from France to entertain their guests after dinner. She was a bird in a gilded cage, singing the same song over and over again, or a beautifully dressed doll, who nodded and waved at a given command.

Jenny came to help Kate undress and her silent sympathy was more comforting than any words. She helped Kate into bed and left the room, returning minutes later with a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

‘I lost me dad when I was ten years old,’ Jenny said softly. ‘You never forget them, miss, but it does get easier.’ She backed out of the room, closing the door gently.

Kate lay in almost complete darkness, allowing tears to fall unchecked. She was crying for her uncle, but she was also crying for her lost love, and for their children, who would never be born. She could not imagine loving anyone as much as she had loved Ashok Patel. His death was not confirmed, but she knew in her heart that he was gone from her life for ever.

Awaking from a fitful sleep, Kate sat up in bed next morning filled with new-found determination. In the dark hours of the night she had come to the conclusion that to give in to despair was not for her. She would face the future with a brave heart, and she knew exactly how to get her own way. She was out of bed before Jenny brought a pitcher of hot water to fill the ewer on the washstand.

‘You’re not going to Cable Street this morning, are you, miss?’

‘Yes, of course. I have to carry on. If I mope about at home things will seem worse. At least I’ll have Annie to cheer me with a lovely melody, and Ivy’s little ones to make me smile. Help me with my stays, Jenny. I’ll go to market on my way to Cable Street.’

‘Of course, miss. But first you must have some breakfast. You can’t work on an empty stomach.’