‘Yes, please, Aggie.’

‘Come on then, lass.’

As she made to follow Aggie, Bob grabbed her and hissed, ‘Keep your mouth shut or I’ll make sure your mammy knows what a terrible liar you really are!’

Mr Noosan, still shaken by events in the alley, was not in the best of tempers when Bridget was admitted to his office. He glared at her. ‘Well? What is it that’s so important? What do you mean by demanding to see me?’

Undeterred by his manner, Bridget put her case, and as she did so his face changed colour. ‘So you see, Mr Noosan,’ she finished, ‘I know all about your attack on Fay Little, and I know that should this ever be made known to the authorities, your place here wouldn’t be worth a farthing. I did consider going straight to the top, but I didn’t think it fair that the young lady should be put through the ordeal which would surely follow.’

‘She’s a liar! It was her who tempted me.’

‘Very well, Mr Noosan. Then I think I had better speak to her brother. I had hoped to avoid that. I believe he has a foul temper and is very protective of his little sister. But if you mean to lie through your teeth and hound Fay out of her place here, then I’m afraid you leave me no alternative but to give him your name and let him take it up with you.’ She turned to leave.

‘Wait!’ Mr Noosan leaped out of his seat. ‘There is really no need to take this business any further than this room.’

‘Isn’t there?’

‘No, no… I mean… she wasn’t altogether lying.’ He wiped the sweat from his brow. ‘Maybe I was a little exuberant, but I meant no harm, I assure you.’

Bridget stared at him coldly.

‘I’ll make amends,’ Mr Noosan hurried on. ‘There has been talk of promoting the young lady in question. I shall make sure it goes through.’

‘And you swear never to lay a hand on her again?’

‘I swear. Never again!’

‘And you will personally see to it that her position here will go from strength to strength?’

‘I will.’

Bridget looked him up and down, making him squirm. ‘Could you see to it that she gets this material – urgently?’ she asked coolly, laying the fabric on his desk.

He snatched up a small hand bell and rang it loudly. A maid in a frilly cap and apron appeared at the door. ‘Yes, sir, Mr Noosan?’

He thrust the material into her hands. ‘Deliver this to Miss Little at once.’

When the maid had gone, Mr Noosan scurried behind his desk again but did not sit down. He looked at Bridget nervously.

He was a pitiful thing, she thought. She had no doubt that he would keep his word with regard to Fay. Like all bullies, he was a coward.

‘Good day to you then, sir,’ she said, and swept from the room.

The market clock told her she’d been gone only half an hour. ‘Not bad going,’ she told herself. As she approached, her eyes were searching for Ruthie.