‘Right. We’ll have to find you something. Maisie’s about your size. She’ll lend you something for the night.’

So it was that soon after the shop closed May found herself, arrayed in a borrowed dress and her own cape and bonnet, walking down Lime Street with four other girls and half a dozen young men. The streets were busy. Groups of people, many of them youngsters like the ones she was with, criss-crossed under the lights of the gas lamps. Some shops were still open, their windows lit with candles and gas lanterns. As they passed the Adelphi, horse-drawn cabs were pulling up, disgorging ladies and gentlemen in evening dress. May shivered with excitement. This was a world of life and colour she had never had a chance to enjoy.

The Eagle was a tiny pub, but that night it was crammed with people. Most of them were men and heads turned as the girls walked in, but no one commented. One of the boys, a good-looking, dark-haired lad called Fred, pushed his way through the crowd.

‘Come on, girls. We’ll go in the snug. You’ll be more comfy in there.’

They huddled together on a bench against the wall and May gazed around. The ceiling was low and beamed, the plaster stained yellow by tobacco smoke, and it was hard to see across the room because of the fug, but a good fire burnt in the grate and in the gaslight faces took on a rosy glow. It was, she sought for the right word, cosy. The boys fought their way to the bar and came back with tankards of beer for themselves and glasses for the girls.

‘Drink up, ladies,’ Fred exhorted them. ‘Here’s to a happy New Year.’

May picked up her glass and took a sip. It tasted horrible! She put it down and looked round the table. The other girls seemed to be enjoying their drinks but she had no intention of trying it again. Paul, a slight, blond boy, caught her eye.

‘Don’t you like it?’

‘Not much.’

He stood up. ‘What are you thinking of, Fred? Beer’s no drink for a young lady. Hold on, love. I’ll get you something nicer.’

He came back with a smaller glass of pink liquid. ‘Here you go! Port and lemon. That’s a lady’s drink.’

May sipped. He was right; it was much nicer. She took a big swallow.

Time slipped by. The other girls chattered and the boys talked to each other and laughed. Someone bought May another port and lemon. In the warmth she grew drowsy until she was jolted awake by a loud shout. ‘Time, gentlemen, please! Off you go, before we have the coppers round.’

Everyone was getting up. May rose too. The room seemed to be swaying. Maud grabbed her arm. ‘Come on. We’ve got to get back.’