May thought. She had no idea what it was like ‘outside’. The prospect of finding out was intriguing, but also terrifying; but she reminded herself that soon she would have no choice in the matter.

‘Yes, I suppose so, ma’am. But who would come with me?’

‘I would.’

‘You?’ May stared at the older woman.

‘Yes. There is something I should like to show you. I think you would appreciate it. Now, next Thursday is the day. I will meet you at the main gate immediately after dinner.’

Mrs Kelly got up and moved away to deal with another girl, who had pricked her finger and was leaving blood stains on the fabric she was stitching. May stared after her. It seemed the matter was decided, but she could hardly believe that it would really happen. As soon as she had finished eating on the following Thursday she put on her cap and her shawl and made her way to the main entrance. The big double doors stood open and the adult residents were pushing and shoving to get out of them as quickly as possible – and there, almost unbelievably, was Mrs Kelly, waiting for her.

‘Good, you’re very prompt. Come along. We’ve got a lot to fit in.’

May followed her out into the street. The first thing that struck her was the light. It was still winter, but the sun was shining from a sky bigger than she had ever seen from the narrow streets of the workhouse. The next thing was the noise. What seemed to her to be hundreds of people were walking along the street, chattering to each other, calling out to friends. Street sellers were shouting their wares. A cart pulled by two huge horses rumbled past. Then she heard the sound of a bell, not the tolling of the bell on the chapel but a sharp, urgent ting-ting and a strange shape came into sight, pulled by another horse. It was like a cart, but much taller and people were sitting on top of it and inside it.

May stopped dead. ‘What is it?’

‘That? It’s an omnibus. Did you never see one before?’

‘No, I don’t think so. What are those people doing?

Where are they being taken?’

‘Wherever they want to go. It’s a great deal quicker and easier than walking.’

‘Can anyone go on it?’

‘If they have the pennies to pay the fare, yes. If you like, we’ll ride back on one instead of walking up the hill.’

As they began to walk, May exclaimed, ‘Oh, ships! I can see ships.’ Away below them was a forest of masts and sails and beyond them an expanse of grey water. ‘Is that the sea?’