‘I have been through the household bills for the last month, Mrs Wilkins, and it seems to me that the sums spent on food are adequate, I might even say excessive, for the sustenance of the number of people in the house. I have no doubt that there is often food left over from our dinner, which could well be used to make nutritional dishes, without requiring any extra expenditure. So from now on, I expect May to be given adequate nourishment for the performance of her duties, which is clearly not happening at present – and I shall ask her, from time to time, what she has eaten. Is that clearly understood?’

‘Yes, sir, of course. I was only trying to abide by the mistress’s orders.’

Mr Freeman’s voice took on a harder edge. ‘You know as well as I do, Mrs Wilkins, that my wife has little interest or … competency … in household matters. She relies on you a great deal. I hope that confidence is not misplaced.’

‘Oh no, sir! You can be sure of that. I’ll make sure your orders are carried out.’

‘It will be better for all of us if that is the case.’

When Mr Freeman had gone the cook called May back into the kitchen.

‘Well, miss! This is a nice state of affairs you’ve brought about. To think of Mr Freeman having to trouble himself with such things! You’d better be sure he doesn’t have any further occasion to come down here.’

‘No, Mrs Wilkins,’ May murmured dutifully. She knew that she had scored a small victory and had found an ally, but she understood too that at the same time she had acquired an enemy. It remained to be seen which of them would prove the more powerful.

That evening the Freemans had lamb chops for dinner and there were four left over. When May brought them back to the kitchen, Mrs Wilkins pushed two of them onto a plate and shoved it into her hands.

‘Here, you better have these, I suppose. And there’s mash left over. Help yourself.’

From then on, May never went to bed hungry.

Four

‘Come here, boy.’

Gus made his way reluctantly to the front of the classroom.

‘New, are you?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Name?’

Gus lowered his voice to just above a whisper. ‘Lavender, sir.’

‘What? Speak up!’

‘Lavender, sir.’

‘Is that your Christian name or your surname?’

Already he could hear the stifled sniggers from the boys behind him. ‘Surname, sir.’

‘Christian name?’

‘Gus.’

‘What?’

‘Augustus, sir.’

‘Augustus Lavender. Correct?’

The laughter broke out in snorts and yelps. ‘Yes, sir.’

‘Silence! Where do you think you are? The next boy to snigger will feel the weight of my hand. Very well, Lavender, you may sit down.’

As Gus made his way back to his seat he could feel eyes following him and saw covert nudges and kicks. He lowered his eyes to his slate and tried to ignore them.