‘But the only time I’ve ever been parted from Mum and Dad is when I’ve stayed round Aunt Edna’s. I don’t want to live with strangers,’ I wept.

‘You won’t be alone. You’ll have Vivian with you. Make sure you tell them that the two of you won’t be separated.’

I nodded. ‘I’m going to miss you, Mary. Say goodbye to Patrick and Daniel for me, won’t you?’ Daniel had a girlfriend now. A stunning blonde called Lucy. I hoped that one day when I was older I would look like Lucy.

I spent a good hour with Mrs O’Leary before saying a final goodbye.

‘Don’t forget, you can write to me every day if you wish. Not that you’ll have time – I’m sure you’ll be having too much fun for that. Never forget, I’m always here if you need me though. If the people aren’t nice to you, Queenie, you must tell your mum. Or if you don’t want to worry your mum, you can tell me. The boys’ll be down there like a shot if you’re being mistreated, let me fecking tell you.’

I giggled and gave Mrs O’Leary one final hug. She was always saying feck this and feck that, and the way she said it never failed to make me laugh. ‘Bye, Mary. I’ll write to you soon.’

The following day Viv and I said a tearful goodbye to Mum, Dad and Aunt Edna at the train station. We had our cases with us and were quickly ushered aboard a carriage with loads of kids we didn’t know.

As the train pulled away, I waved and waved until my parents and aunt were out of sight. Dad was positive he would soon be called up and I wondered if I’d ever see him again. With bombs dropping night after night, I couldn’t help but fear I’d never see any of them again.

Little did I know, Hitler’s bombs weren’t the real danger.

Six Months Later

March 1941

‘Queenie, Viv. There’s some letters arrived for you.’

Queenie ran excitedly down the stairs. She loved receiving letters. ‘Thank you, Betty.’

‘Give me a shout once you’ve read them and I’ll cook your breakfast,’ smiled rosy-cheeked Betty.

Queenie handed Viv her two letters. She knew by the handwriting who they were from. One was from Aunt Edna, the other, Nelly Brown.

Ripping open the one addressed to both of them, Queenie read it out loud:

‘Dear Queenie and Viv, I’m so pleased you’re enjoying your time more in the countryside, now the weather is warming up a bit. Spring will be here soon and I’m sure you’ll love watching the flowers bloom and seeing all the baby animals being born.

‘Ivan sounds nice. I’m glad he’s taken the two of you under his wing and you are earning extra pocket money. It’s good of Ivan to drive you to the shops too to save you walking all those miles. Does he have children himself?

‘Things are very much the same here, but please do not worry, as we’re all OK. We get to the shelter early now as we know the bombs will be dropped at some point during the night. Big Fat Flo lost her house last Monday. That whole row is now a pile of rubble. Thankfully, nobody was hurt. They were all down the shelter.