There was a nod. ‘He works on improving the railway systems. Three years ago, he was invited by the Canadian Pacific Railway to travel there and advise them on a particular project, and he jumped at the opportunity. He was away for six months and Olivia and I stayed here because I didn’t want to interrupt her education. When he came back all the talk was of how good the life in Canada was and he persuaded me that all three of us should visit for a month, over Christmas. And then a year ago he was offered a position, in Calgary. After much thought we decided that we would go, but we discovered that it would mean we had to emigrate. We did our research and discovered we had sufficient funds to support ourselves and that in turn meant we fulfilled the criteria of the Canadian government. Olivia was not keen to leave Scotland, but we got all the paperwork ready anyway.’ She took another sip of tea. ‘We were due to leave in April this year. Daniel sailed for Calgary and the plan was that I would follow with Olivia after she had completed her final school examinations. Unfortunately, because of the Great Depression, which is reportedly as bad there as it is here, the Canadians have changed the rules. Daniel has a job, and is needed by the railway company, so he can immigrate. And as his wife, I can go to be with him. But Olivia is now seventeen and not at school so we think she may no longer be regarded as a dependent minor. It might be that they allow her to enter the country, but it has been impossible to get a firm answer to the question. While all this has been happening, Olivia has now decided that she does not want to travel with us. She hopes to enrol at university here in Edinburgh next year. Her friends and her life are here. And when we were in Canada for that holiday I mentioned, it was winter; Olivia is not enamoured with the severe cold weather and the large amounts of snow. In short, she is now refusing to go with me. I must therefore choose between my husband and my child.’ She looked down at her hands and twisted her wedding ring around her finger again. ‘Daniel does not understand and is somewhat annoyed; he forgets that Olivia is almost a grown woman. I have tried everything I can to persuade her but she is unmoved by my opinions and is becoming more determined in her position. I am turning to you, therefore, in the hope that you may be able to help.’

‘How?’ Ann was disinclined to be anything but direct.