‘Yeah, s’pose so,’ he answered casually, but the look in his eye showed concern, which was as much reassurance as Sybil was going to get right now.

It was a huge relief when the train shunted out of the siding and went on its way fairly speedily to Manchester, where yet again they had to change trains and platforms. After hurrying along the length of the platform to catch the connecting train, Sybil gasped as the previous pains gave way to a dull thudding throb in her lumber region. Hearing her cry, then stumble, Ronnie used his small skinny body as a prop.

‘Lean on me,’ he told her, as he half dragged Sybil on to the train, which, compared to the one they had just vacated, was virtually empty. Laying Sybil along the length of the seat while keeping an eye out for Sally too, Ronnie removed her jacket and laid it under her head.

‘I don’t know what to do,’ he blurted out.

‘Remember what I told you earlier,’ she reminded him. ‘See if you can find the guard, or a lady who might help me.’

‘What will I do with Sally?’ he cried. ‘She’s scared and she keeps crying.’

‘Leave her with me for the moment.’

Grasping the edge of the carriage seat, Sybil was overwhelmed at the speed of her next contraction, which gripped her body like a band of iron.

‘Arghhh!’ she groaned through gritted teeth.

Doing what she had always done to her mum when she was in pain, Sally stroked the hair back off Sybil’s clammy forehead.

‘Shhh,’ she whispered. ‘You’ll get better.’

Sybil’s body rose as the contraction peaked, then fell as it subsided. Weak and already exhausted, she slumped back on to the prickly plush pile of the seat, which is where the guard found her. Taking one quick look in Sybil’s direction, he visibly paled.

‘Bloody ’ell fire!’ he muttered.

‘How long to Kents Bank?’ Sybil asked him.

‘If we don’t get shoved into a siding near Carnforth, then not so long at all.’

Struggling to sit up, Sybil said, ‘Please could you get me some water?’

The guard gave a curt nod.

‘Aye, I’ll get yon lad here to fetch it.’

Clearly desperate to get away, he shot off with Ronnie trailing after him. Sybil closed her eyes as she listened to the steady rhythmic rocking of the train on the tracks.

‘Please God,’ she prayed. ‘Please, please, don’t let the train get held up.’