A thin drizzle started and increased to heavy drops. I meandered along, not caring that I was getting wet or that my skirts trailed on the pavement. What did a little muck matter now? Down one passage I went, where the houses on either side of the road were so close together that if I stretched out both arms, I could touch two doors that stood opposite each other. A candle glowed bravely on the third floor of one house and it made me think of a woman waiting up for her sweetheart. I’d waited for Lucien and he’d come eventually, but he’d been spiteful and I didn’t deserve it. If he wasn’t going to voice his suspicions, I couldn’t even defend myself. I’d be able to explain away what it was between me and Vincent, but only if he gave me the chance. He took a punch or two for you tonight. Give him time. But I hadn’t asked him to.

My thoughts turned once again to the next day’s journey. By this time tomorrow I would be well on my way and London far behind. Would there be alleys like this in Sierra Leone? There was a beach, I knew that much, and the weather would be hot every day, but when I tried to imagine anything beyond this, I couldn’t. I pictured Lucien on the beach but he was alone.

In the distance I heard a clock chime. It was time to get back; Vincent would be long gone by now.

I found the key in its usual place under the flowerpot and let myself in.

‘His Lordship left two hours ago,’ Barky said. ‘You been walking around in the rain all this time?’

He disappeared for a moment and returned with a towel for me to dry my hair. I hadn’t realised how wet I was or how hungry. My stomach clenched and I looked around hoping that Barky had left a plate for me.

‘I thought a turn would clear my head.’

‘Has it?’

I shrugged, not seeing the use in lying. Barky could read me anyhow.

‘Were they fighting over me?’

‘He didn’t say. He does love you, though, Zillah.’

‘No point telling me now. I made my choice.’ I certainly wasn’t going to admit to him how off Lucien had been with me. Right or wrong about him, you’ll have to get on with it now.

Barky busied himself finding a knife and fork for me and I sat down at the kitchen table. Steaming hot tea, two hard-boiled eggs and bread and butter. I tucked in, while Barky looked on with troubled eyes.

‘Out with it, if you have something to say,’ I said, but he shook his head.

‘It’s nothing. Goodnight, Zillah. I’ll walk you down to Embankment when I get in. You’ll need a hand with your bags.’