Outside the warehouse I stretched my arms and took three huge breaths, thankful to be in the fresh air. I wanted this for the Leopard Lady, and for her son, and there was no time to lose. I headed back to the jetty. There were no boats waiting and I cursed myself for coming here so late without thinking about how I might get back. Of course the passenger boats didn’t run all night. A rough timetable had been posted up. I was trapped here until at least five o’clock tomorrow morning, when the first boat was due to leave. That was hours away. Vincent would be looking for me, but with luck he’d never find me here. Even the sailors had cleared out. Was it safer to take my chances on the jetty or return to the warehouse? Either way, I was risking my skin.

Despairing and unsure what to do for the best, I sat down in the doorway of one of the exporters’ offices and waited for dawn.

XX

A Gift from Ellen

A ray of autumn sunshine warmed my face but I kept my eyes closed and clung to the meadow that I’d been dreaming about. Soft grass, butterflies. It was no good. The clang of a poker brought me back, like a child summoned by her mama. Mama. I had been thinking of her so often lately.

But then I remembered the jetty. I had to catch the boat! My eyes sprang open – and I saw where I was. The green room I shared with Vincent. Just as it had always been but now with a bouquet of cut flowers on the dresser. How did I get here? I blinked, but they were still there. Red roses, and white. Like blood and bandages. I heard the poker again, at the fireplace.

‘Grace?’ I hadn’t seen her much since Stratton’s party. I was sure she’d been avoiding me.

‘Oh, miss. You’re awake. I’ll call His Lordship.’

‘No, Grace,’ I started to protest, but she’d already dropped her cloth and run from the room. Through the door she’d left ajar came the sound of sawing and cutting. Far away but close enough for me to make out. I recognised it from my dreams.

‘She wakes,’ Vincent said and I turned to see him at the door. ‘I’ve told Grace to give us a minute. Do you need anything?’ he asked. ‘Some wine of course.’

Vincent poured a cup from a small decanter on the mantel and brought it to me. I tried to sit up to take it from him but my head swam.

‘Slowly, Zillah. You have been unwell.’

I couldn’t remember anything since falling asleep at the jetty. Had I got on the passenger boat after all? When did I get to bed? ‘What day is it?’

‘Friday.’