Recalling her first meeting with Edith Mann, when she had interviewed her some months previously, Ada remembered how Edith had accepted the post with little joy, slightly as if she had no choice and was going to her doom. She had continued in that joyless mode throughout her time at Mary Vale, doing her duty, proving to be a good nurse but always cold and remote.

As if reading her thoughts, Dora murmured, ‘She was a cold fish, though some of the residents noticed a bit of a change in her just before she left here, not that I noticed it myself.’

Replacing the little baby bath on the shelf where it was stored in the sluice room, Ada wondered out loud, ‘Edith always was a bit of a mystery – she never seemed to settle here.’

Mopping down the floor with hot water and disinfectant, Dora gave a curt nod. ‘God knows where she’s flit to.’

Ada gave a heartfelt sigh. ‘Wherever she is I hope she’s happy.’

44. Whitehall

Before they set off for London, Rosie and Sybil made sure they had discussed and agreed what they’d share of their plans with Matron. Though there was a bit of delicate fudging in what they said, there was also an element of truth.

‘I’m going to London to take a maths examination; if I pass it, there’s a good chance that I’ll be accepted on to a radar-training course,’ Sybil started.

Looking cautious, Matron asked, ‘Are you strong enough to tackle the journey?’

Sybil smiled. ‘Believe me, after the last train journey I endured, with Ronnie and Sally, this one with Rosie should be very straightforward.’

Wanting to be clear about Sybil’s plans, Matron asked another question. ‘And will you come back here?’

‘Yes, I’ll return with Rosie,’ Sybil replied. ‘I plan to leave Mary Vale once my son’s adoption is completed.’

Matron nodded, then turned her attention to Rosie. ‘And what are your plans, Rosie?’

Rosie explained her situation. ‘I left a forwarding address with a couple of neighbours when I moved up here, but, after hearing Sybil’s description of Finsbury Park, I’m wondering if there’s anybody left there who would even know me and Mick. And,’ Rosie pointedly added, ‘after the heartache my kiddies put themselves through, I want to make absolutely sure, now that I’m back on my feet, that the authorities in charge of evacuees know exactly where we are, just in case Mick should ever try to get in touch with us.’

‘Very well. I wish you both a safe journey,’ Matron concluded. ‘Take care of each other, and bear in mind that you have both only recently given birth, so don’t go overdoing things.’