It had been a month since his encounter with Mr. North and Noah stood in front of the restaurant, waiting and wondering whether the man would show up. He had been promised another meeting and possible support, but Noah knew better than to attach much value to it. Rich people liked to feel generous and bestow charity on the people below, but only when it suited them, and Mr. North might well have moved on to a new philanthropic project and have already forgotten Noah and his brother. 

He leaned against the wall with his hands in his pockets and bit his lip. If Mr. North did show up, at least he had something to tell. He just hoped the man wouldn't ask about the five pounds and wouldn't disapprove of Noah's choice of 'vocation'. It had been hard enough to come up with something and find a place that would hire him. But rich people could make odd demands. So yes, he was a bit nervous.