Barky turned around to the crowd. ‘Nothing to see here, folks. The entertainment’s done for the day.’

He sounded as good as the Crillick’s compère; it was probably second nature to him after all those years working backstage.

‘It’s not over yet,’ came one voice.

‘No, not yet,’ was its echo.

‘Come on, they’ll tickle each other and it’ll be done. Dinner time, ain’t it,’ Barky said.

He was right. It had got darker, couldn’t be far off six o’clock. The gas lighter would soon be along. The fighters still breathed heavily but showed little spirit to resume. A whisper went round that the Peelers were on their way. The Blackbirds cleared out and, one by one, the remaining watchers melted away.

‘Come on, milord, you’re all right,’ Barky said and placed an arm around Vincent. ‘We’ll get you cleaned up.’ I looked away as he supported him past me and back towards the house. Vincent’s eye was almost closed now. That left Lucien and me. I was on high alert. If the police really were coming, I couldn’t hang around for long.

‘Are you hurt?’

‘He throws quite a punch. I would not have thought him capable of it.’

‘Can I bathe your lip for you?’

‘There is no need to make a fuss, Zillah.’

‘You came to see me.’

‘Our boat is due to leave tomorrow,’ Lucien said, his voice a little thick. ‘I’ve been concerned for you staying with your friend and so I wanted to come and collect you. I didn’t want to leave anything to chance.’

All this time he’d been thinking of me. I needn’t have worried that I’d put him off in some way. But what now? I’d done myself no favours by getting involved in their fight.

‘I’m glad we’re going to Sierra Leone together,’ I said.

‘That’s what you want, is it?’

‘You know it is. I told you on Wednesday.’

‘You know that’s the second time I’ve seen that man and always when you’re nearby. Why is that, I wonder?’

‘He’s friendly with Barky,’ I said. ‘Knows him from the theatre.’

Lucien looked at me through narrowed eyes. I wasn’t sure he believed me, but I could see that he wanted to. He would’ve accused me outright if not.

‘Let’s stick to our original plan. I will meet you at the docks in the morning?’ I said.

‘The ship will depart at eleven o’clock. If you get there at half past nine, that will give enough time for your bags to be loaded.’

‘Barky bought me some fabric to make clothes with, but I don’t have much else. I was planning to pick up a few final things in Liverpool, after we get … married.’ The word stuck in my throat a little while Lucien looked so stern.