Julie stood where she’d be framed by the statue’s plinth and held up the tin of red paint. She stood for a few moments, giving anyone who was interested time to point their phones and start filming.

People were bustling past, pushing buggies or lugging shopping bags. An old man stopped to lean on his walker, his white beard hiding his expression so Julie couldn’t tell if he was supportive, scandalised or merely curious.

No one else paid any attention.