Their conversation was brought to a halt by a flurry of customers. ‘We need a hand this side, lass,’ Joe called, and Bridget came running, having persuaded Aggie that the dress was made for her.

Soon afterwards, Bob Morris arrived. ‘I’ve finished for the day,’ he explained. ‘Barnaby’s cows have got milk fever and I’ve had to call off two of my rounds.’

‘That’s a pity for the cows but I’m glad you’re here.’ Bridget handed him a number of the finished notices. ‘You can take them out with you in the morning. Ruthie and I will put some up around here before we finish for the day.’

Bob promised to take the notices with him in the morning. ‘I won’t be round tonight,’ he said. ‘I went over some rough ground and busted two wheels on the cart. It’ll take me all night to repair ’em.’ Truth was, he fancied a night out with a bit of rough.

In a way Bridget was glad he didn’t plan to come round. If she and Ruthie were on their own, Ruthie might confide in her. Bob took his leave, and much to Ruthie’s disgust, kissed Bridget as though he wouldn’t be seeing her for a month.

He had gone only a short distance when Ruthie saw him discreetly drop the notices into a waste bin. She was horrified but she didn’t say anything; she did not dare. But it made up her mind for her.

When Bridget went to get them each a bag of hot potatoes from Mack’s barrow, she said to Joe, ‘Tell Mammy I’ve gone to find Billy.’

Joe wasn’t as quick-witted as he used to be. ‘Billy who?’

‘Mam will know.’ She put on her coat and hat and was quickly gone, keeping low and winding her way through the stalls so Bridget wouldn’t see her.

Only yards away, Bob Morris was preoccupied with a woman of loose reputation. ‘I reckon we should find somewhere a bit more private,’ he suggested. ‘Nothing personal, but I don’t want to be seen here with you.’

‘Huh! You wouldn’t have said that a few months ago,’ she snapped. ‘I was mixing with the top folk – smart clothes, having tea with the ladies.’

He laughed at her. ‘You don’t say? And did you visit the palace? Were you invited to have tea with royalty as well?’

‘You think I’m lying, but it’s true,’ she protested. ‘I was respectable enough, until my brother threw me out. He’s warm and comfortable, damn his eyes, while here I am having to put up with dogs like you because he won’t give me more money.’

‘My heart goes out to you,’ Bob sneered. ‘The truth is, you slut, if you want money you must work for it, like we all do. So get a move on and find us a place where we won’t be a peepshow.’

Taking him by the arm, she led him away, smiling grandly at the little girl who stood at the mouth of the alley. ‘Happen she’s here to learn a trade,’ she laughed.