‘Completely – they never stop insisting on their innocence,’ Theresa replied. ‘So much so that I’m beginning to wonder if we’re doing them an injustice by sending them away.’

‘Come, come, child,’ the Reverend Mother answered firmly. ‘If they do have to leave us, they might well benefit from joining the family I have in mind. The Larkins are a no-nonsense, salt-of-the-earth couple with four children of their own. They run a sheep farm in the next valley and have been fostering for years.’

‘How can we be sure that Ronnie and Sally will behave themselves once they leave here?’ Sister Theresa fretted.

‘There’s no guaranteeing it, Sister, all we can do is pray,’ the Reverend Mother answered fervently.

Feeling guilty that she doubted the power of her Lord, Sister Theresa wondered if prayer could undo the colossal damage done to Ronnie and Sally, who seemed to ricochet from one tragedy to another.

After a great deal of heart-searching and several discussions with the Larkins, the Reverend Mother decided that it was in Rosie’s best interest to briefly foster the children out. Though Rosie was heartbroken, and the children were mutinous, their departure was softened by the fact that Farmer Arkwright had to deliver some fluffy bleating lambs to the Larkins’ farm. Ronnie and Sally, accompanied by Sister Theresa, were so excited by the bouncy drive in the farm pick-up truck they hardly gave Mary Vale a backward glance as they drove away down the winding lane.

The previous night had been altogether another story. Dora had closed the curtains around the bed when Ronnie and Sally had visited their mother on the ward, thereby affording the family a little privacy. Sister Mann raised her eyebrows when she heard the sobbing and weeping coming from behind the curtain.

‘Really, it isn’t the end of the world,’ she muttered to Dora. ‘Leaving Mary Vale and their mother in peace is the best outcome all round.’

Dora, who had suffered the loss of both of her beloved sons to the war effort, looked mutinous. ‘It’s not easy breaking up a family.’

Unaware of Dora’s tragic past, Sister Mann rambled on. ‘Ronnie and Sally will be able to visit their mother regularly, and Mrs Pickles – once her children are out of the way – will most likely thrive.’

Dora gave her a hard look. ‘Well, let’s hope it works out that way,’ she said, and she stubbornly remained in front of the drawn curtains, determined that nobody would interfere with the children and their mother as they said their farewells.