Rosie gave a proud smile; then, catching sight of Sybil’s tired expression, she said briskly, ‘Come on now, I’ve got to get you two back to Mrs Larkin, so say goodbye to Auntie Sybil.’ Seeing her friend’s curious raised eyebrow, she added with a grin, ‘That’s what these two have started calling you.’

‘Auntie Sybil – I like it.’ Sybil smiled at the children. ‘It makes me feel special.’

‘You are special now that you don’t frighten us any more,’ Ronnie assured her with his funny gap-toothed smile.

‘Good,’ Sybil beamed. ‘Let’s keep it that way, shall we, Ronnie?’

After the children had bidden Sybil an affectionate if not a little bit of a shy goodbye, she waved cheerily as Rosie tried to usher them both away.

‘Can we come back and see how you are tomorrow?’ Rosie asked before she departed.

‘Why not?’ Sybil grinned. ‘After all, we’re both on the same ward, so not far to waddle, in my case.’

‘I hope Mrs Larkin has a nice supper waiting for you,’ Sybil called after the departing children.

‘She makes us puddings,’ Sally said. ‘Jam roly-poly is my favourite.’

‘Dead man’s leg,’ Ronnie joked. ‘That’s what the Larkin lads call it.’

After her own supper was delivered by Nurse Mann, who, for reasons nobody could quite understand, was less grim these days, Sybil tracked down Dora.

‘How is the baby?’ she asked.

‘He’s got the lungs of a lion and the appetite of a horse,’ Dora laughed.

Sybil gave an inward sigh. ‘So like Monty.’

‘Would you like to see him?’ Dora enquired.

Knowing she did not want to bond with her son, who hopefully would very soon be adopted, Sybil replied carefully. ‘I’d like to see him tomorrow, if you don’t mind, Dora.’

Early the following morning, as soon as the ward was stirring, Sybil felt strong enough to get out of bed and pay a call on nearby Rosie.

‘Are you awake?’ she whispered.

‘Wide awake,’ Rosie answered with a rueful smile. ‘Have you forgotten they serve tea at six in this place and after that the place is jumping? I think I’ll probably get more rest once I’m back in the Home.’

Sybil smiled as she sat on the edge of the bed. ‘Really, are you okay?’ she asked earnestly.

‘Fine, promise,’ Rosie responded.

Wriggling up the bed so she was nearer to her friend, Rosie dropped her voice to a whisper. ‘Sybil, you took such a risk going in search of my children.’ She shook her head in disbelief. ‘You could have lost your baby in the process.’

‘But I didn’t,’ Sybil declared pluckily, ‘and luckily I found two of yours.’ She held her breath in an attempt to steady her voice. ‘I’m sorry for your loss, sweetheart, you must have suffered so much.’