Threading a path back towards the Thames, they crossed busy streets of wagons and workers as the afternoon light faded. They reached the river’s edge and she followed it onward to London Bridge, every now and then turning to see if Finn was still behind her. He didn’t try and catch up, but kept her in eyesight as her small frame silhouetted against the river. They moved past the dark shadowy vessels where men continued to load and unload cargo on the barges, preparing vessels for launch in the morning.
As they walked a man rushed from a loading bay with a stern voice. “Get away from here, thieving little scrapper. You stay back! I warned you, didn’t I?”
“Ou se chen an, msye!” the little girl yelled back, waving her fist at him from a distance.
“Get back from here!” He shooed her away, r
