The lights came up gradually to reveal a small metal trolley. I craned my head to see what was on it and made out a set of scientific instruments: long metal pincers, a needle and three glass tubes filled with coloured liquids. The pink-filled tube gave off a thin strand of smoke and underneath the smell of pomade and tipsy people talking there was a waft of cleaning alcohol. Now Grace and Alice, the maid of all work, filed on to the stage holding a white sheet up between them. I suppose I should have been grateful that my servant’s disguise for the evening hadn’t required me to partake in the spectacle, whatever it would be. The thin material bulged and twitched as if something behind it moved, and I saw Grace flinch. Her plain face was pinched and even stolid Alice looked nervous. Could it be some sort of animal behind the sheet? My heart began to hammer and I picked at the back of my corset again. A little pop and one of the ties surrendered to my pointed nails, allowing me to take a grateful gulp of air.

Crillick had melted away when his guests took their seats, but now he reappeared, in eyeglasses and a long white coat. He must’ve taken it from the theatre. In the strange get-up he had everyone’s attention. Chatter ceased. We watched as he inspected the tools on the table. He touched the back of his hand to the smoking tube, which had just begun to bubble. You could have heard a matchstick snap. Crillick turned to us and smiled, rubbing his hands together.

It was showtime.

‘Some of you will know that I’ve been away on business,’ he said, ‘but I also made time for pleasure.’

Some of the men chuckled and he leered back at them before continuing.

‘I stopped off in Paris and picked up a little something that I just had to show you. It’s exceeding rare, let me tell you. Before tonight, its like has not been seen in London. No mistake, what you are about to see will make you gasp. Some of you ladies may feel afeared, but do not worry. The men here will protect you.’

Right on cue, there came a small cry of fright and I turned to see that in the front row, just below the stage, Henrietta now clung to Vincent, while he murmured softly into her ear. The brief exchange I’d had with her told me she was more than capable of looking after herself if she chose, but what of Grace and Alice? I couldn’t believe they were so given to dramatics, but there was no doubting how frightened they were. Crillick must have got hold of a snake, or maybe even a panther. Only a wild animal could inspire this sort of dread.