‘There! What a transformation, eh?’ James had the air of a conjurer who has successfully produced a white rabbit. ‘I knew there would be some clothes I grew out of years ago somewhere. My mother never throws anything away. It took a bit of a rummage in the attic, but I found these, and they are not a bad fit. Don’t you agree?’

‘You look very smart, Gus,’ May said.

Flossie looked in. ‘I’ve set breakfast in the morning room, sir.’

‘Good. Let’s go through, shall we? We can talk while Gus eats.’

While Gus set to demolishing a plate of eggs and bacon, James took a seat opposite him with pen and paper at the ready. May sat between them, looking from one to the other. James seemed transformed from the previous evening. Then his interest had been purely a matter of courtesy and his outlook had been fatalistic. Now, having decided to take on the challenge of saving Gus from prison, he was energised, almost excited.

‘Now,’ he said, ‘we need a plan of action. I have explained to your sister, Gus, that if we are to persuade the magistrate to commute your prison sentence to a fine, we have to convince him that you will keep out of trouble in the future. We need to present you as a young man with prospects that will enable you to become a useful member of society. We’ve taken the first steps. You need a haircut but once that is done you will look quite respectable, and May has arranged for you to live with her for the time being.’

Gus looked across at May. There was egg yolk on his lips. ‘You sure that’s all right?’

‘Yes. The box room’s only small but at least you will have an address.’

‘Now,’ James resumed, ‘the most important thing is that you should have the prospect of a proper job. Do you have any ideas that might help?’

Gus shook his head. ‘All I know is the sea – and being a tallyman, but that’s only casual.’

James rubbed his forehead. ‘I’ve racked my brains for someone who might help, but I just don’t have the right contacts. May, do you think Mr Freeman might suggest something?’

May’s heart sank. ‘I don’t like to ask him. He’s already been so good to me. Well, you know I nearly lost my job over that business with Mrs McBride. He kept me on then, on condition I didn’t cause any more trouble.’

‘But you wouldn’t be asking for yourself,’ James said. ‘I’ve heard that Mr Freeman is of a philanthropic disposition.’ Seeing that they both looked puzzled, he expanded. ‘He wants to do good for other people, for society as a whole. Surely it would be better for society for Gus to be gainfully employed instead of going to prison. Could you not put it to him like that?’