“I dunno, mate.” Ned was still frowning. “’E told me while we were in t’ place in Vauxhall that ’til we went on t’ Pride, ’e’d never been out o’ Limehouse. ’E said t’ furthest ’e’d gone were ter Wappin’ an’ once ter Bromley at Bow. ’E di’n’t know t’ bit o’ t’ river ’e could see from t’ place we were. I reckon, what with ’im bein’ scared o’ t’ bad man an’ all—well, ’e’d be lost ’ere anyways.”
Bert thought a moment. “I knows t’ city an’ t’ Barbican an’ a bit beyond. Never been up t’ west end. Ain’t ’ad no call.”
Looking at the others, he asked, “’Ave you been up t’ Town end?”
Ned nodded. “Me Mum ’ad some work from t’ fancy shops up Piccadilly way, an’ she took me with ’er t’ carry t’ goods.” He nodded toward Fleet Street. “Used ter take that road, far as t’ big square at t’ top o’ Whiteha
