‘You look lovely, Aunt Edna,’ Queenie said genuinely. Even though her aunt was a big lady, she had a beautiful face and smile. Queenie couldn’t imagine her thin and was sure it wouldn’t suit her.

‘Is it still OK if I sleep ’ere tonight, Edna?’ asked Molly. ‘Vivvy’s staying round at Mary Moggins, and me and Eric had a big barney last night. Berlin was bombed the day before, weren’t it? Eric’s adamant I shouldn’t come out tonight. He fears reprisals. Ya know what he’s like.’

‘Not drinking again, is he?’ asked Edna.

‘No. He’s even got himself a better job in a factory. But he’s obsessed with the war and listening to the bleedin’ radio. That and newspapers. He has no other interests these days.’

‘You stay ’ere with us, Mum,’ smiled Queenie. ‘My boss at work was talking about reprisals today too. But as Aunt Edna says, we just have to carry on our lives as normal.’

‘Too right we bleedin’ will. Sod Hitler and his not so merry men. Us East Enders ain’t frightened of no bastard. Right, we ready?’ grinned Edna. ‘It’s party time!’

Queenie was jovially chatting to her mum and aunt about work when there was a blackout. Seconds later, the sirens sounded.

‘Gawd stone the crows!’ gasped Edna.

‘Run,’ yelled Molly.

Queenie could not see properly, but was aware of the panic around her. Everywhere she turned, people were running for their lives.

Bethnal Green tube station was the nearest shelter and as Molly grabbed her daughter’s hand, she heard that formidable noise. The whirring, buzzing, the sounds of bombs dropping from the sky. ‘Run, Queenie. Run!’ shrieked Molly.

There was shouting, screaming, children sobbing, dogs barking as Queenie ran through the dark streets in the same direction as everyone else. It was mayhem and she could not help but feel scared. Not for herself, mind; she was far more worried about Viv, Mary, Patrick and Daniel. Were they running towards a shelter too? she wondered.

‘We’ve lost Edna. Where is she?’ Molly panted. She wasn’t used to running, was completely out of breath.

Queenie let go of her mother’s hand and tried to turn around. It was impossible though. They were nearing the entrance of the station and the crowds were surging towards them. Not all were panicking, but the women with children were.

As Queenie and Molly got lifted off their feet by the stampeding crowd behind, they found themselves inside the station and almost tumbled down the steps. ‘Aunt Edna. Aunt Edna,’ Queenie bellowed. Her voice could not be heard though. There were far too many other voices also shouting for their loved ones.

Recognizing someone she knew, Molly turned around and grabbed him. ‘You seen Edna, my sister?’

‘No, Molly. You seen my mum? I got separated from her. She’s seventy-four, for Christ’s sake.’

Guessing that, because of her size, Edna couldn’t run as fast as most, Queenie had her eyes glued to the hordes of people trampling down the slippery steps. The lighting inside the station was dismal and the atmosphere claustrophobic as it began to fill.