‘Garn, you never! I bet your mam never even knew his proper name. She made that one up so’s you’d never know you was a little bastard.’

He staggered back as Gus’s fist made contact with his nose. For a second it seemed he was too shocked to retaliate, then he lunged at Gus and they went down together, punching, kicking, biting, while the boys standing by joined in a joyful chant of ‘Fight! Fight! Fight!’

It was the blow of a cane across his shoulders that brought Gus to his senses. A strong hand grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and he was hauled to his feet. Beside him, his tormentor was held in an equally ruthless grip. Their captor was a short, thickset man with shoulders like a bull’s and arms that easily held the two struggling boys apart.

‘Now then, you two little bilge rats, what’s it all about?’ The voice was deep and hoarse.

‘He called me a bastard!’ Gus panted.

‘Did he, now?’

‘And he said my name was a girl’s name.’

‘I see. And what is your name?’

‘Gus Lavender.’

The man pursed his lips thoughtfully. ‘Never come across a wench called Gus.’ He turned to Gus’s assailant. ‘And you? What do they call you?’

‘Murray.’

The man’s brow creased, as if puzzled. ‘Mary? Mary what?’

The boy wriggled violently but he was unable to break free. ‘Not Mary! Murray, Jack Murray.’

‘Oh, right, Murray it is,’ the man said, but already the damage was done. All round the circle boys were tittering, and Gus could hear the whisper of ‘Mary! Mary!’ going round. The man caught Gus’s eye and he was almost sure that he winked.

‘Now then,’ the man said, ‘shake hands, and if I catch either of you scrapping again you’ll be kissing the gunner’s daughter. Know what that means?’

Gus shook his head and the man looked at Murray who nodded sulkily. ‘Means getting a flogging.’

‘Correct. Now, I’m going to let you go and I don’t want any more trouble. Got it?’

‘Yes, sir,’ both boys muttered. ‘

Yes, Cap’n.’

‘Yes, Cap’n,’ they responded.

The heavy hand was lifted from Gus’s shoulder. ‘Shake!’ came the order. Reluctantly Gus held out his hand and received the briefest of touches from his opponent.

‘Now, clear off,’ the captain ordered.

The boys began to disperse and someone began chanting ‘Mary, Mary, quite contrary …’ until Murray rounded on him and spat out, ‘Shut it, you!’

Gus made to move off too, but the captain detained him, swinging him round to face him. ‘Not seen you before.’

‘No, sir … no, Cap’n. I only got here this morning.’

‘You from the workhouse?’

Gus dropped his gaze. ‘Yes.’