‘Do you think so?’ May struggled to make sense of this new development. ‘But why do you want to go, Gus?’

‘So I can learn to be a sailor. I told you.’

‘But why?’

‘You know why.’

‘Oh, Gus, you’re not still thinking you can find our dad!’

‘I might.’ Gus’s face set obstinately.

‘It is a good choice for a boy, anyway,’ Mr Baker said.

‘I have heard of a number of boys who have obtained good situations on board ship and made a good livelihood.’

‘But people get … get lost at sea,’ May protested, her throat constricting with tears. ‘Like our father did.’

‘But most of them come home safely,’ Mr Baker said, quite kindly. ‘I don’t think you should prevent your brother from pursuing the career he has set his heart on.’

‘I can’t prevent him, can I?’ May said miserably. ‘When will you go, Gus?’

‘That is still to be decided,’ Mr Baker said. ‘There are arrangements to be made. It is quite possible that you will have gone to your new position before Augustus leaves.’

May drew a deep breath. It was true, of course. Whatever Gus chose to do, they would be separated soon. She swallowed. ‘All right, Gus. If that’s what you really want.’ She looked at Mr Baker. ‘Will we be able to say goodbye, whichever of us goes first?’

‘I’m sure that will be allowed,’ Mr Baker said. ‘Now, you had better get along to your class or you will be late.’

May looked at her brother. She wanted to put her arms round him, but they had not hugged each other since they came to the workhouse and even if such displays of affection had been permitted, she feared he would push her away. She sniffed and forced a smile. ‘Goodbye, Gus.’

‘Goodbye.’ He ducked his head and looked away.

May climbed the steps and set off for the needlework room.

A few days later, at the end of morning school, Miss Bale called her and Patty out to the front of the class. They stood uneasily, wondering what they had done wrong. In spite of herself, May’s eyes kept flickering to the ruler on the teacher’s table.