For the first part of the journey the boys had been chatty but as it progressed, they both dozed, which gave Amber time to think and her thoughts turned to her baby as they often did. Only the day before she had wrapped the boys up warmly in thick coats, hats and mittens and taken them to the lake in the park to sail the little boats that their grandparents had bought them for Christmas. The sight of the nannies pushing the perambulators about had brought a lump to her throat. Her little girl would be four months old now and she still thought about her every single day. Her biggest regret was refusing to see her. At least if she had she would have a memory of her to cling to. But as it was all she knew about her was what she had heard the midwife say about her having an angel’s kiss on her thigh.

‘Amber, have we got much further to go?’ It was Harry who had woken from his doze.

Amber started. ‘Not too far now,’ she told him kindly. ‘An’ I believe we’re goin’ to stop at an inn soon for somethin’ to eat an’ drink.’

George was still fast asleep and Harry said quietly, ‘Me an’ George don’t want to go away to school, you know, but father thinks it will be good for us.’

‘And I’m sure it will,’ Amber answered. ‘You’ll settle in in no time, an’ think of all you’ll learn. Why, wi’ a good education you can be anythin’ you want to be when you grow up.’

It was early evening by the time they arrived back at the Temples’ residence and Amber went straight to her room to collect her things together. There was no point in delaying so she supposed she should leave as soon as she was ready. When she came downstairs, Mrs Temple was waiting for her. She led her into her husband’s office where she paid Amber her wages, adding a hefty bonus.

‘You’ve been wonderful with the boys,’ she praised, shaking her hand. ‘Thank you so much for stepping in at such short notice. I know the boys have enjoyed their time with you. In fact, I think they will miss you.’

‘Thank you, and I shall miss them too,’ Amber responded.

They left the office to find the boys waiting for them in the hallway. They would be leaving for their new school the next morning and both looked thoroughly miserable.