‘It holds time well. And it’s mechanical, so you’ll never have to worry about the power.’ James was a smart man, well-spoken and with an energy for every day.

‘I’m not sure about clocks.’

‘Well, what about this selection of treasures and trinkets?’ He gestured over a table of ornaments. His shop was off the beaten track; somewhere between the railway and the river, behind the orphanage, in front of the church.

‘I don’t much like any of these,’ she said, as she lifted one up to see if it had a price underneath.

‘Okay,’ he said, disheartened but trying to remain enthused. He knew he had to start making some sales soon or he’d have to close once and for all. ‘How about dolls? Collectible dolls.’

‘I do have a small collection of my own. They could always do with more friends,’ she said.

‘Follow me.’ He led her to a separate room that was filled with dolls. It was dimly lit, but she looked around in awe. He picked one off a shelf and handed it to her.

‘I was thinking of this one from the second we got in here,’ she said. She stroked the hair and held it at arm’s length from her. She admired how realistic it looked.

‘Imported last week,’ he said. ‘You’ll notice how soft the hair is.’

‘Yes! And the eyes are like diamonds. Look at how bright they are. How much is she?’

He told her the price, expecting forceful resistance.

‘I’ll take her,‘ she said.

He led the woman back into the main room of the shop. He couldn’t help but smile to himself, he knew he’d finally found a business venture that would work.