David and Victor Kallinski arrived home ten minutes later. Both of them were surprised to see a lovely-looking young woman sitting there, and also were instantly concerned about their father’s bruised face.

After introductions had been made, and their father had explained how two ruffians had thrown stones at him and how Emma had rescued him, things settled down.

Janessa asked her sons, Emma and her husband to come and wash their hands in the kitchen sink. As they did so, she ladled chicken soup into bowls and put them on the table.

‘Come to the table, please. It’s almost sundown.’

They all stood around the table. First, Janessa lit the two white candles on the table and blessed them in a language Emma did not understand. Then Abraham blessed the wine; he broke the bread and blessed it, again in the language Emma could not fathom. Later she discovered it was Hebrew.

Finally they all sat down; David courteously pulled the chair out for Emma and Victor for his mother.

As they ate, Emma became aware of the harmonious atmosphere in this house, and an immeasurable love that existed in this family. She began to relax even more. Everyone was so warm to her, congenial, and so she was made to feel completely at home. At one moment, she was so overwhelmed with gratitude, her throat thickened with unexpected emotion. And she kept thinking: Why are the Jews hated? They are loving and gentle people, kind and considerate. It is despicable the way they are treated.

And this was the way Emma Harte was to feel all of her life, staunchly defending her Jewish friends, constantly shocked and grieved by the excesses of naked racism that infected Leeds like the blight for many years.

After the soup, the chicken was served, and Emma enjoyed every morsel, understanding at once that she could not neglect herself and vowing to have a decent meal every day.

There was a lot of conversation at the table, and it was the family who did most of the talking; many diverse subjects were discussed. Emma just listened, fascinated by them all, but David in particular. He was articulate, full of knowledge, extremely intelligent and opinionated. Many of the things he said Emma silently agreed with. She admired him.

Suddenly, Janessa stood up and began to clear the plates. Victor and David helped her to take them to the sink.

Emma stood up to join them, but Janessa said, ‘It’s all right, Mrs Harte. The boys are used to clearing up.’ A smile filled her face. ‘I think you enjoyed our Jewish food, didn’t you?’

‘I did, very much so. It was delicious,’ Emma responded. ‘And please call me Emma.’ Her eyes swept around the table. ‘All of you, please.’

‘We would be honoured,’ Abraham said in his gravely courteous way.