‘It seems you’re to have a half day off every two weeks – every other Wednesday, starting tomorrow. What I am supposed to do with tea to serve and dinner to prepare I do not know, but the master insists, I’m told.’ She eyed May narrowly. ‘You’ve wormed your way in there, somehow, but don’t get too cocksure. It won’t last.’

Lying in bed, May tried to decide what she would do with her time off. She had never experienced a time when her activities were not prescribed for her, and the thought was daunting. She could go back to Mr Freeman’s shop. She could ask Elsie if it was all right for her to buy a cape … her mind drifted … Then she came awake with a start. Of course, she knew what she must do tomorrow. She must go to the Industrial School and see Gus. That was far more important than any shopping.

The next day, it took May an hour to walk to Kirkdale and she had to ask the way several times. It was an unseasonably warm day, so by the time she arrived at the school at the top of the hill she was sweating and her feet hurt. She gazed up at the building in awe. It might have been a castle in a fairy tale, with its turrets and gables. At length she plucked up courage to walk up to the main gate and found the porter’s lodge. She knocked and a window opened at the side of the door.

‘Yes?’ said a gruff voice above her head.

‘Please, sir, I’ve come to visit my brother.’

‘Name?’

‘I’m May Lavender. He’s Gus … Augustus.’

‘Lavender?’ The tone was different. ‘You are Augustus Lavender’s sister?’

‘Yes, sir. Can I see him, please?’

The window was closed abruptly and a moment later the door opened and a thickset man in uniform came out.

‘You need to speak to the governor. This way.’

‘Oh, no, sir! I don’t want to bother the governor. I just want to make sure my brother is all right.’

‘Like I said, you need to talk to the governor. Come along.’

He led her through the courtyard where boys were coming and going. She searched among them for the familiar ginger head, but did not find it. The porter tapped on a door and an irritable voice bade him enter.

‘Girl here says she’s Lavender’s sister, sir.’

The governor removed his pince-nez and peered at May. ‘No one said anything about a sister. Where have you come from?’

‘I’m in service, please, sir. With Mr and Mrs Freeman in Rodney Street. But before that I was in the workhouse, with Gus … Augustus. Please can I talk to him, just for a few minutes?’

‘I am afraid that is not possible. Augustus is no longer with us.’