‘In that case if I get work as well we’ll be rolling in cash,’ Tess said gaily. She was delighted with the news, because since Gran would be earning, and would undoubtedly spend such earnings on special food, her own money could be saved for Gran’s present, which must be a good one. Accordingly, she set off for the market, and, having earmarked a pair of pale blue mittens and a matching hat which she knew Gran would love, she hung around by the stall until the owner began to pack up. Then she bargained briskly and got both for ten bob, and on her way back to the flat was asked by a fat little woman who lived in one of the courts off the Scotland Road to carry her bulging canvas bag home for her, being promised a sixpence if she would take it right into the kitchen. As though this job had brought her to the attention of other shoppers, Tess carried bags, parcels and boxes from six in the evening until past ten o’ clock, when she returned to the flat well pleased with herself and able to contemplate the great day ahead with excitement and pleasure.

As Gran had foreseen, by Christmas Eve they had not had a cooked meal for three days and had worked like slaves to make sure that their Christmas would be a good one. When Tess had finished hanging up the paper chains she had made in school she was very tired and knew Gran must feel the same, but she knew also that this did not matter. What mattered was having a Christmas to remember – a grand peacetime Christmas – which they could enjoy talking about during the long, cold days of winter.

They had a frugal supper of Spam sandwiches, made themselves hot water bottles and took to their beds, and as she cuddled beneath the blankets Tess realised that she had scarcely thought about the farm all day. Startled, she sat bolt upright in bed, then lay down slowly, realising for the first time that she no longer felt that her home was the farm. Her home was here now, with Gran, and the two of them were a proper family. The Bells had been kind to her, had made her welcome – she remembered how good Jonty had been about sharing – but they were not her own family; that was just her and Gran.

The realisation gave her a warm glow, for though she would continue to miss her friends from the village as much as ever, it was perfectly natural to do so. What had not been natural was the sore, uncomfortable feeling in the back of her mind that she had been rejected by the Bells. She had wondered whether Gran, being a relative, had been forced to take her in . . . perhaps would not have done so had the Bells wanted to keep her. But now she knew she was in her right place, and she snuggled down, already sure that the following day would be a good one.