‘I’ll take care of you,’ the boy said. ‘You’ll still miss him, but at least you won’t be alone.’

Isabel felt her heart crack. It was unfathomable what these children had been through at such a tender age. ‘Thank you.’

‘I’ll be back as soon as I can,’ Blackmane said. ‘Do not leave these caves under any circumstances. You understand me?’

She stared at him a moment, tempted to argue, then sighed. ‘Fine.’

Blackmane placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. ‘What’s your name?’

‘Huw, sir.’

Blackmane clapped him on the back. ‘Take good care of her, Huw.’

She watched him return to Tolly, then glance a final time in their direction before they headed for the exit.

One of the women came over to her. ‘You want to have a wash while you wait for him?’

Isabel could only imagine what a mess she must have looked like. ‘That would be wonderful, thank you.’

‘Let me find you something to wear, and then I’ll show you where to go.’ She went over to one woman who was sewing and returned with some folded garments. ‘Not as fancy as the things you’re wearing, but at least they’re clean.’

Isabel took them from her. ‘Thank you.’ Generosity from a stranger who had so little to share was proof that the spirit of Carmarthenshire was not dead. This was what they were fighting for, the chance to live like this but above ground, where all the children could play in the sun and make as much noise as they pleased.

‘We will play again later,’ she told Huw before following the woman.

They headed down a narrow path with a low ceiling, ducking their heads for a few paces. She was relieved when the cave opened up once more. The woman used the candle she was holding to light another one, illuminating a pool of water.

‘Don’t expect it to be warm,’ the woman said, ‘but it’s private, so you can have a proper wash.’ She went to leave.

‘What is your name?’ Isabel asked.

The woman looked back, hesitating. ‘Genevieve.’

‘I am Isabel, but you can call me Belle.’

Genevieve gave her a weak smile. ‘The children know not to come here. Wash, sleep.’ Her gaze fell to Isabel’s marked neck. ‘Cry. There’s nothing you can say within these walls that they have not heard before.’ With that, she headed back in the direction she had come.

The moment Isabel was alone, exhaustion hit her like a boulder. She slumped down next to the stone ledge holding the water, resting her head against it. Her hand went to her throat. Everything was fine. She was fine. She would have been a lot less fine if she had stayed at the camp with Hodge. Her eyes sank shut, and she allowed herself a few moments to rest before…