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glance. ‘They would just have to look at the way I hold myself to know that I’m different from the hoi polly.’
    ‘Do you mean the hoi polloi?’
    ‘You’re such a pedant, Kate. Sometimes I don’t know why I bother with you.’ Josie held up her gloved hand and marched across Tottenham Court Road, causing a carter to rein in his horse. He shook his fist at them, swearing volubly.
    ‘Sorry, mister,’ Kate said breathlessly as she was dragged helplessly towards the other side of the street, much to the amusement of a group of ragged urchins.
    ‘Give us a penny, lady.’ The boldest boy held his hand out to Josie.
    She looked him up and down, taking in his filthy appearance from the top of his lice-ridden hair to his bare feet. ‘Go away or I’ll call a constable.’
    Kate snatched her hand free and opened her reticule. She had three pennies that she had been saving towards a new pair of boots, but she could see the children’s bones sticking out like gnarled twigs beneath their grime-encrusted skin. They all looked as though a good meal would do them the world of good. She tossed the coins on the ground and they fell on them, scrapping like wolf cubs over a juicy piece of flesh.
    ‘You’re a fool,’ Josie said, quickening her pace. ‘They’ve probably got more money than you have.’
    ‘You could have spared them a penny or two.’
    ‘Not me. I look after myself. I don’t care about anyone else.’ She chuckled. ‘Well, maybe I care a bit about you, but don’t let it go to your head.’
    ‘As if I would.’
    Josie took her hand and tucked it in the crook of her arm. ‘No, you always manage to keep calm. I’ve never known you to have a fit of the megrims. I don’t know how you do it, Kate Coggins, but I’m full of admiration.’ She squeezed her hand. ‘And sometimes I could shake you and tell you to shout and scream and get angry, as I do.’
    Kate smiled. ‘It wouldn’t do if we were all the same. But please stop at the kerb or better still find a crossing sweeper when we get to Oxford Street. I really don’t want to end up in hospital with a broken arm or worse.’
    ‘You have no sense of adventure, but I will take care. I don’t want to get my new gown muddy or the rakes and libertines won’t take a second look at me.’
    They arrived at the two-storey bazaar in Soho Square without further mishap and headed straight for the rooms devoted to the sale of items which held a special appeal for ladies. Stalls were ranged on either side of the aisles, selling gewgaws, ornaments, trinkets, gloves, jewellery, millinery and fine lace. Josie swooped upon them like an eager magpie attracted by glitter and sparkle. Kate was more cautious and examined the price tags before replacing the items with some reluctance, having given her last penny to the street urchins. Josie purchased items randomly: a feather fan, a bead necklace and a piece of lace which served no purpose other than being pretty. She bought a blue satin bonnet trimmed with velvet bows and immediately gave it to Kate, saying that she did not like it after all and the colour would not flatter her complexion. She bought a pair of white kid gloves and a china cat with green eyes simply because it reminded her of a pet she had owned as a child.
    Kate followed her round dutifully, carrying the mounting pile of brown paper packages containing Josie’s impulsive purchases. As they flitted from stall to stall she was aware that they were attracting the attention of several well-dressed young men who lounged casually about, their sole purpose seeming to ogle any female who was neither old nor ugly. Josie paid them little attention until they entered another large room when she stopped, clutching Kate’s arm. ‘Oh, no. Don’t look now, but I know that man.’
    Instinctively, Kate turned her head, and received a sharp pinch from Josie’s clawed fingers. ‘Ouch. What was that for?’
    ‘I said don’t look. Pretend that you haven’t seen