‘For the present time, yes,’ Filip said, and looked at his wife who had sat on the edge of a bed and was smiling down at a just awakening Aron, and then at Ellen. ‘We have taken the rooms, Ellen, so you will not be – erm – disturbed with us any longer.’

‘I’m not at all disturbed by you,’ Ellen answered. ‘And I hope you’ll still come and visit us?’ She would miss seeing them and the children.

‘Of course we will.’ Anna got up and put her arms about Ellen. ‘You are my very good English friend, and you must come and see us in our new house – not a whole house,’ she added. ‘Just half a house, further up from here, in Church Street, and with a fire and a sink – and,’ she clenched her fists in joy, ‘with a fire in yard as you have so we can make hot water to do our washing.’

‘Oh, I’m so pleased for you,’ Ellen said. ‘You must of course have your own place, but leave the children here until you have made it warm and comfortable. Do you have beds and furniture?’

Anna shook her head and glanced at Filip. ‘Not yet. We have been promised beds and bedding,’ he said. ‘The people I met at the synagogue, they are collecting things for us.’

He stopped speaking and stood beside his wife, putting his arm around her. When he spoke again, this tall, broad-shouldered, bearded man, who had seemed afraid of nothing, had a catch in his voice. ‘We have received only kindness since we came here. God has been good to us in directing us towards you special people.’

Anna put her hand over his. ‘It is true,’ she said softly.

Ellen brushed away a tear. ‘Well, in that case I’ll put ’kettle on and we’ll celebrate wi’ cups of tea and coffee,’ she said. She lifted the nearly full kettle from the hearth and placed it on the flames, and went into the scullery to count out the cups and take down the teapot from a shelf whilst she composed herself.

Billy followed her. ‘I’m going to get straight off home, Ellen,’ he said. ‘Weather’s worsening in Holderness and ’road’ll get boggy. Ma’s sent another chicken, cooked early this morning and ready to eat.’

‘Oh! Thank her, Billy, won’t you. She’s an angel. Thank you for coming, trailing up and down that long road home. Tek care, won’t you? It’s getting dark already.’

‘Don’t worry, I will.’ He kissed the top of her forehead. ‘You’re a good lass, our Ellen. Keep brave. Your fortune’ll change, be sure of it.’

She nodded. ‘I’m happy enough, Billy, though I’ll be happier when Mary comes back.’