In Drake's mind, the bruises are a small price to pay to be able to provide for Jackson and improve their circumstances at Mrs Ramsay's. He'll soon have enough to move them to the attic room with some security, and it's for that reason that he drags his weary body down to the Docks for another bout.

But he's misjudged the man in front of him and a couple of blows to his fragile ribs have him on the back foot, blinking sweat out of his eyes and trying to keep his feet.