‘Of course! As a senior member of staff you are allowed one full hour off in every ten, and if the young man has swapped his time with you, then you are quite free to do with it as you please.’

A boy with a hoop came rushing by and almost knocked her over. If it hadn’t been for Mr Noosan catching her, she might have ended up on the ground. ‘Young lout!’ He shook his fist at the boy, who simply jeered at him.

‘Are you all right, Miss Little?’ he asked. ‘Did he frighten you?’

‘I’m fine,’ she answered. ‘Thank you.’ In truth, the boy had given her a fright but she didn’t want to make a fuss.

‘Look. I’ve finished my business here and I’m on my way back to the orphanage this very minute. Please, let me offer you a lift in my carriage.’

‘Goodness me, sir,’ she looked away, smiling shyly, ‘I can’t do that. Whatever would the others say?’

‘Let them say what the devil they like!’

She would not be persuaded. ‘No, sir. There’s no use causing jealousy. It’s better if I walk back.’

‘Very well. But after the fright you’ve just had, I insist on coming with you for some of the way.’

It wasn’t much to ask, so Fay agreed. ‘You’re very kind, sir.’

The two of them set off down the alley, which was the shortest route to the orphanage. At night it was frequented by prostitutes and rogues, but Fay did not know this. She worked such long hours, she very rarely stepped foot outside her beloved orphanage. Narrow and cobbled, full of little niches and dark places, the alley was usually deserted in the daytime.

Shivering, Fay drew her cloak tighter about herself. ‘I don’t suppose this alleyway ever sees the sun,’ she said. ‘I don’t think I’ll use this short cut again.’

Reaching out, Mr Noosan lifted her cloak higher over her shoulders.

Instinctively she turned, and as she did so, he grabbed her shoulders and shoved her to the wall. ‘You’re so pretty,’ he leered. ‘A man can’t be blamed for wanting you.’

Shocked, she pushed him away, but he was far too strong.

‘Please, don’t fight me,’ he groaned, undoing his trouser buttons. ‘You’ll only make me want you more.’ When she opened her mouth to scream, he pressed the palm of his hand over her face. ‘I won’t hurt you,’ he promised. ‘It will only take a minute, then we’ll be on our way.’

Smiling into her terror-stricken eyes, he bent to lift her skirt, one hand tearing at her underwear while with the other he stroked his erect member. ‘You mustn’t say anything about this to any of the others,’ he said casually. ‘People don’t understand these things, especially women. Oh dear me no. If Matron found out, she would never forgive me. So you see, my sweet Fay, it just wouldn’t do to report any of this, would it? Especially when I’m a man of responsibility. I can make or break anyone I please with the stroke of a pen or a click of the fingers. If you were to cross me, no one would believe you. Besides, you’ve done so well at the orphanage. There’s even talk that you should be put in charge of your own department, and at such a young age too. We wouldn’t want to spoil all that, would we, eh?’