He wasn’t jealous, was he? I started to laugh at the idea of me and Barky, but Lucien’s face was serious and so I stopped myself.

‘He’s a friend – a father figure, really.’ It wasn’t something I’d dare say in front of Barky, but he was old enough and it would stop Lucien getting the wrong idea. ‘We think he’s got a mistress – he’s always turning up at work with expensive gifts.’

Lucien was still offish, I could tell. It wasn’t just about Barky; I was sure he wanted to ask me about Bill, how we knew each other. I didn’t want to explain it all. I never spoke about Eustace, I’d tried to school myself not to think of him, and for years I’d been successful. Lately not so much, but as we walked along, I knew that I must if we were to move forward. If I could tell him about my mother, I could tell him about my first love. You did say you wanted to be honest with him.

‘You want to know how I know Black Bill,’ I said.

‘I didn’t ask,’ Lucien said.

‘I want to tell you. I think I must.’

He turned and gave me the first smile I’d seen from him since Bill’s arrival. He’d been willing to let me keep my secrets and that made me all the gladder that I’d decided to tell him.

‘You know I grew up in St Giles?’

‘With your Mrs Bradley, yes?’

‘That’s right. With her and with her son, Eustace.’

Lucien’s step faltered slightly, but he remained quiet so I carried on.

‘Eustace was a year older than me. We never courted, but we were close.’ Close enough for him to be my first, but he hadn’t been the hearts-and-flowers type so what I’d said to Lucien wasn’t a lie. Eustace hadn’t made any sort of play for me. We were friends more than anything, and that remained true after we became lovers.

‘He was a Blackbird. Started out with some petty thieving here and there, but he was good at it and he caught Bill’s eye.’

Handkerchiefs, purses. That’s how it began, but then he moved on to house-breaking. He tried to give me some of the things he brought home – the odd necklace or bracelet that Bill let him keep – but I never wanted it.