Tommy scrambled out of the chair and began mooching around. Dust filled the air and spiders ran for cover as he carefully moved things. Then, just as Sarah had anticipated, he found the tobacco tin, and gently shook it. The metal soldiers rattled inside, and Sarah smiled as Tommy gasped.

‘What do you think is in here?’ he asked excitedly.

‘I don’t know, it could be the treasure. Open it and find out.’

Tommy pulled the lid open and raised his eyebrows at what he saw. ‘Look, Sarah. These are so ’mazing,’ Tommy said as he studied the painted soldiers in their red coats and black hats.

‘Yes, they are. Well done for finding the treasure but now we have to sneak out of here. Put the tin in your pocket, there’s a good boy,’ Sarah said as she placed Mr Sayers’s flat cap on his head.

She peeked through the small shed window. There didn’t seem to be any movement from the house and all the curtains were still drawn. ‘Come on, Tommy,’ Sarah said and took him by the hand. She pushed open the creaky door to make a dash for the back gate and when they emerged from the back alley, they began wandering the streets of terraced houses.

‘Where are we going? I’m hungry,’ Tommy said as he dragged his feet.

‘How about a trip to Battersea Park?’

‘Can we have something to eat?’

‘Yes, later,’ Sarah replied, not knowing where their next meal would come from.

‘I’m cold, I want to go home.’

‘I told you, we don’t live with Mum any more. Here, this’ll keep you warm,’ she said, and wrapped the utility blanket like a cape around Tommy, securing it with a knot under his chin.

Tommy was beginning to lag, but as they turned the corner onto Battersea Bridge Road, Sarah noticed his mood suddenly perk up.

‘Sarah, Sarah … the bridge. Please can we go on the bridge and look down at the boats … please?’

She hadn’t planned on walking over the bridge, but it seemed it would be a welcome distraction for Tommy. ‘OK, but no throwing things over the side like you did last time.’

‘All right, I promise,’ Tommy said, and skipped ahead.

Sarah quickened her pace to keep up with him. Though he could see the boats through the Moorish-style latticing balustrades, he was almost tall enough to see over the top. She was nervous about him reaching too far and toppling into the Thames. ‘Hey, wait for me,’ she called.

Tommy stopped and began to jump up and down. ‘Pick me up, please, Sarah …’ he asked excitedly.

She wrapped her arms around her brother’s waist and held him up to look out along the river.

‘I wish we could go on a boat,’ Tommy said.

‘Maybe you will one day. You could sign up with the Navy and live on one of them big battleships.’