Just a punter, then? I let out my breath and, as I sucked in fresh air, I smelt a whisper of something woody and sweet and familiar. Could it be? I peeked at Barky’s face; his expression was stern but carried no sense of danger. It was safe for me to be seen. And, sure enough, when I turned around there stood Lucien. Handsome as ever, and carrying his gold-tipped cane. When Lucien saw me, he smiled in relief.

‘At last, I’ve found you. This is the second time I’ve come looking. After what you told me, I was expecting to see you last Thursday, but nothing.’

The last time we had met, I’d strongly suspected the Leopard Lady was being held at the docks, but had no concrete proof.

‘Lucien, I’ve got so much to tell you.’

‘You two know each other, then,’ Barky said. I’d forgotten he was there, my whole attention focused on Lucien.

‘You remember Mr Winters? He waited to speak to me after a performance a few weeks back.’ My words were for Barky but I couldn’t take my eyes off Lucien.

‘An admirer, then?’ Barky said.

Not exactly, but there was something growing between us. At least I thought I wanted there to be, and now I was free of Vincent I didn’t need to feel any guilt about it.

‘I heard from our mutual friend,’ Lucien said to me, ‘and there’s more. If you are ready now, I’ve thought of a place we can go where someone might have heard of your Leopard Lady.’

Barky’s eyes were darting back and forth between the two of us. I’d have to explain it all to him later now he’d heard her name.

‘Can I finish for the day?’ I asked Barky.

He narrowed his eyes and I could tell he was thinking about the encore scene he wanted us to practise where each act ran on to give a final bow before the audience went home.

‘There’s always tomorrow, I suppose. You and Ellen would be first up, though, if she comes in.’

I wasn’t relishing the prospect of that at all.

‘Why don’t you come with us, Barky?’

‘I’ve work here, Zillah.’

Hadn’t he just told me that he was almost done for the day? He’d taken against Lucien, I could tell. Only once so far had he addressed him directly.

‘Please, Barky?’ I said.

‘Maybe I will. Where are you going?’

‘To the Dog and Duck,’ Lucien said.

A public house. I’d not heard of it, but Barky clearly had.

‘I won’t be welcome there,’ he said. His tone was curt.

‘Why ever not?’

‘It’s Blacks only.’