‘He’s left town,’ I said. ‘You don’t think Ellen would shop me now we’ve fallen out, do you, Barky?’ The thought had just popped into my mind.

‘Not her. Crillick would do for her if she did. He’s business first, always has been. She knows that.’

I hoped he was right, but I couldn’t be sure. I’d caught real hatred in her eyes when she pushed past me on the stairs after finding me in Crillick’s office. Anyone who held on to that much anger was unpredictable. Maybe she’d think the risk of bringing down Crillick’s was worthwhile if it got me thrown in prison. Just last week a group of three gypsies from Bristol had been sent to the hulks for pretending to be African warriors. I didn’t want to be next.

‘You don’t reckon His Lordship will be back, then?’ Barky said. ‘I wondered if the package that arrived for you at the theatre on Saturday afternoon was from him?’

‘It was the clothes I’d left behind at Crillick’s house,’ I said. Vincent must have sent them on before he left London. I’d put them on straight away, grateful to be back in my own things. ‘I can’t see him staying in Surrey for long, but if he comes back to London it won’t be for me.’

Whatever was between us was all in the past. Now I knew about Vincent’s family, what was there for us to say to one another? He had distracted me and it had been nice while it lasted, but I’d moved on. Barky, seeing he’d unleashed a torrent of thoughts, sucked quietly on his cheroot and I kicked mindlessly at the wall for something to do.

‘Shhh. Did you hear that?’ Barky said.

I stood still and strained to listen. Nothing for a moment, and then, just as I was about to tease him for getting jumpy in his old age, there came the sound of footsteps. No one used this alley except Crillick, Vincent and the performers. In any case, Crillick’s was closed to the public outside of showtimes.

‘Make sure your hair is tucked in and face the wall,’ Barky muttered. ‘I’ll handle this.’

I did as he said, tying on the blue headscarf, my fingers fumbling the knot beneath my chin. It must be the Peelers. What would they do? What could they do? I didn’t even know if Crillick was around to vouch for me, though he’d be in trouble too. Stay calm, Zillah. They can’t prove you’re Amazonia just because you’re standing outside the theatre. The footsteps stopped. For a moment all I could hear was my breathing, then Barky made the snorting sound deep in his throat.

‘This way’s not for you. You’ll want the entrance round the front,’ he said.