Realizing with immense relief that she was, in fact, in a warm clean bed in Mary Vale’s post-natal ward, Sybil tenderly felt her tummy. Though it was loose and flabby, she smiled: the baby she had been carrying for nine long months had been born. Monty’s son was outside of her rather than inside, and from now on she was going to be fine. She could take up the reins of normality again and set about the business of returning to London and finding war work. As her mind wandered, Sybil heard a nervous giggle and saw the curtains surrounding her bed twitch.

‘Hello,’ she called, as she struggled to sit up straight.

The curtains parted to reveal Rosie, leaning feebly on a walking stick, with Ronnie and Sally by her side.

‘Hello!’ Sybil said again, but this time with real enthusiasm. ‘Rosie! How are you?’ she asked with genuine affection.

Rosie hurried to Sybil’s side, followed by her children, both now smiling self-consciously.

‘Dearest Sybil,’ Rosie exclaimed as she laced her arms around Sybil’s neck. ‘I thought I’d lost everything, but you found my children and brought them home safe and sound. Of course,’ she said as she nervously eyed Ronnie and Sally, ‘there is so much sadness after what we’ve all been through, but we have each other and life goes on.’ Fighting back tears, determined to stay strong if only for the children’s sake, Rosie gulped. ‘Keep smiling through, eh? It’s the best we can do.’

Impressed by Rosie’s stoicism, Sybil felt tears prick her eyes too.

‘You’re right, Rosie,’ she agreed. ‘Never give up and never give in.’

Suddenly aware of the pressure she might be putting on Sybil, Rosie said, ‘We mustn’t tire you out – just tell us how you’re feeling, lovie.’

‘Exhausted but so glad it’s all over,’ Sybil confessed. ‘Ronnie and Sally were fantastic nurses when I needed help on the train. Ronnie especially,’ she said, as she gave him a knowing smile. ‘I couldn’t have got through the ordeal without him.’

Ronnie gave a manly swagger.

‘She told me if she started with the baby, I had to clear the compartment and keep Sally calm, then find a guard,’ he said self-importantly. ‘She told me to count to sixty over and over again. Dunno why.’

‘You were so brave, and calm and kind,’ Sybil assured the little boy. ‘And Sally too, stroking my hair; then, when we finally got to Kents Bank, they even managed to hold up the train while Ronnie ran for help.’

Now it was Sally’s turn to feel self-important. ‘We brought Matron and a stretcher,’ she announced.