‘I’d make sure I thoroughly questioned those two,’ she said in all innocence. ‘They can’t seem to stop themselves. It must be in their blood.’

The Reverend Mother, Matron, Sister Theresa and Rosie were in attendance when the policeman finally got around to questioning Ronnie and Sally. After he had patiently outlined the gravity of the situation, Ronnie typically went on the defensive.

‘I don’t know a bleedin’ thing about nicked stuff!’

Visibly shocked by the boy’s pent-up fury, the Reverend Mother spoke sharply. ‘I will have no swearing, young man!’

Ronnie scowled but wisely kept his mouth shut.

‘If you cannot behave decently when questioned I shall ask the policeman to remove you to the police station – now answer his questions civilly.’

‘Did you have anything to do with these thefts, young man?’ the policeman formally asked.

‘Nuffink,’ Ronnie growled.

‘And you, young lady …’ the policeman continued, turning to Sally, who was wrapped around her mother’s skirt. ‘Do you have anything to tell us?’

Utterly terrified, Sally mutely shook her head.

The policeman addressed Rosie. ‘I will be inspecting all of the residents’ rooms, Mrs Pickles – have I your permission to search your room?’ Rosie, knowing her children had only recently been caught stealing food from the dining room, could barely speak. Could they really have robbed again and so soon after their first offence? As the blood drained from her face, she nodded in mute agreement.

The conscientious policeman set about systematically searching the residents’ rooms, Sybil’s included, but it was of course only when he came to the Pickles’ family room that he found what he was looking for: irrefutable evidence that firmly sealed the children’s fate. Breathless with shock, Rosie slumped on her bed and watched the policeman gather up the goods squirrelled away under the bed, at the back of the wardrobe and behind the sink.

‘They weren’t here yesterday,’ she protested. ‘I’m sure I would have seen them.’

‘Well, I’m afraid they’re here now, ma’am,’ the policeman said politely. ‘And I’m afraid your youngsters have some explaining to do.’

Ronnie, Sally and poor trembling Rosie were this time brought before the Reverend Mother, along with the policeman, in the dining room.

‘If you did not steal any of the articles, why were they all found hidden in your bedroom?’

‘I dunno!’ Ronnie cried. ‘I never put ’em there.’

The policeman cleared his throat. ‘I’m told you two were caught stealing food not that long ago,’ he started.

Poor Rosie flared crimson with shame. ‘They were,’ she declared. ‘For which they have been reprimanded.’ Clutching her children close as if to protect them from what might follow, Rosie’s voice wobbled as she continued. ‘For God’s sake, they’ve had an ’ard time since we moved here, and it was only because of my health that we came here in the first place.’