As the evening approached May veered between wild anticipation and uneasy suspicions. It had never occurred to her not to trust James, but Nan had sewn seeds of doubt in her mind. When the day came, however, she banished those thoughts and made up her mind to enjoy that one occasion, knowing that it was unlikely to be repeated.

She had never been inside the Philharmonic Hall, though she had often walked past its imposing façade. The interior left her breathless. Down each side of the auditorium was a row of boxes, separated by gilded pillars, while the main body of the hall was furnished with comfortable, plush-covered chairs. The ceiling was covered in stucco and ornamented with elaborate designs, and swags of holly and ivy decorated with coloured ribbons hung along the balconies.

She had learned most of the carols in the workhouse, so that much was familiar, and when the congregation was invited to join in she sang along with the rest, hearing James’s warm baritone beside her. But she was happiest when she could just sit and listen and let the music weave its magical patterns of colour in her mind. To add to her enjoyment, James was suitably impressed with the new gown and remarked how well it suited her.

Afterwards, instead of hurrying off as she expected, James insisted on walking her home. He gave her his arm and she felt a shiver of pleasure run through her nerves at the closeness of his body. As they neared the house she exclaimed, ‘Oh, look! Isn’t that beautiful?’

A gas lamp illuminated the frosted branches of a small tree, making them sparkle.

He looked. ‘Yes, it is, but do you know? I would never have noticed it; you have such a sharp eye for beauty.’

‘I love it when it’s frosty. It makes these drab old streets look clean and bright.’

‘It is even better in the country,’ he said, ‘when every blade of grass is encrusted with diamonds and the branches of the trees look like the skeletons of giants. Don’t you agree?’

She glanced up at him, surprised by this poetic turn of phrase. ‘I don’t know,’ she said. ‘I’ve never been in the country.’

He looked at her, and there was a fleeting expression of pain in his eyes. ‘Never?’

‘No. I suppose the nearest I’ve seen is that place off Princes Street.’

‘Oh, you mean Princes Park? It’s quite small.’

‘I’ve never seen so many trees.’

‘Have you ever been to Birkenhead Park?’

‘No. I’ve never heard of it.’