A shiver went down Ada’s spine; was this something to do with the Army’s looming requisition order, she wondered. Hurrying along the corridor that connected the Home to the convent, Ada wondered why she might want to see her. Though not a Catholic, Ada automatically crossed herself as she passed the life-sized, carved wooden statue of Our Lady of the Sea, which marked the dividing line between the convent and the Home. Little votive candles flickered around the feet of the statue alongside vases of fresh flowers that were always placed there no matter what time of the year it was.

Ada found the Reverend Mother in her book-lined study and sat across the desk from the rather imposing senior nun.

‘Good-morning, Reverend Mother, you asked to see me,’ Ada said nervously.

Clearly amused, the Reverend Mother gave an indulgent smile. ‘It would appear that Matron and all of your loyal friends don’t want to lose sight of you, Ada. They have expressed a sincere interest in your staying local when you start your maternity leave.’

Confused Ada blushed. ‘I’m not quite sure how I would do that, Reverend Mother – much as I love this area, and my friends too, I can’t possibly afford to live here without a job.’

‘Nevertheless,’ the Reverend Mother’s smile widened, ‘I thought I’d just mention, on the off-chance, that our convent has a small cottage on our farm estate that is due to be vacated by the tenant very soon.’

Ada’s dark-blue eyes sparkled with excitement; she knew exactly which cottage the Reverend Mother was talking about.

‘Is it the pretty stone cottage at the end of the lane, just past Mary Vale Farm?’

The Reverend Mother nodded. ‘Yes, Mary Vale Cottage. The tenancy is in the gift of the convent, which means we could offer it to you for a peppercorn rent as soon as your maternity leave starts, if that would suit you and your family,’ she finished diplomatically.

‘Mary Vale Cottage!’ Ada’s eyes brimmed with tears of joy. ‘That would be wonderful!’ she exclaimed, then her face dropped. ‘But what about the requisition threat? If the Army were to take over the Home, surely they would take over the entire estate too. I’d be homeless, just like you.’

The Reverend Mother shook her head. ‘We’ve been in discussion with our friend Brigadier Baldwin, who is doing all he can to point the Army elsewhere,’ she replied. ‘But, God forbid, if we have to give up the Home, the farm and its adjacent land wouldn’t be needed by the Army, so you would still be safe.’

‘It would be wonderful to stay here in this place that I have grown to love so much, and hopefully still be close to my friends and colleagues,’ Ada exclaimed.