‘Good. But don’t worry – she had been given one. An old great-aunt of the family has fallen sick and needs help. You two are the only relatives who can help her. You will be back when she has recovered. I’m so sorry that you felt such panic; it was out of my control, and all I could do was pray that you came through the test – and you have. Oh, Sibbie, my Sibbie.’

Paulo’s lips came down on hers. If she’d thought her world complete, she knew now that being in Paulo’s arms was only part of that completion, for his kiss awoke longings in her that showed her there was more to learn, and that one day there would be a blossoming of her true self, and the fulfilment of who she was.

Clinging to Paulo and never wanting to let him go, she made her way with him to join the others. After a wonderful greeting from her Uncle Cyrus and Uncle Arnie, and catching them up with the news they had of Flors and Mags, there was a moment when they all fell silent.

Arnie broke the silence. ‘Our world – our happy world – has tumbled around us. All we can do is fight to regain what we can of it. I think it’s time we told the girls what we want of them.’ All of them nodded. ‘It is vital that we rescue my darling Ella and Lonia. We’ve had intelligence that the Jews in the camp where she is have been discovered, and are to be rounded up and taken to Drancy – a concentration camp in the north-east of Paris. It is known as a holding camp, and from there they . . . Oh God, they . . .’

Tears were streaming down Arnie’s face. Paulo grabbed hold of him and supported him. Sibbie looked at Marjie. Her father held her in his arms, and both were crying. Sibbie’s heart was breaking for them all. Tears stung her eyes, but she knew that the facts had to be faced, and she must be strong for them all. ‘How and when will they transport them, Uncle Arnie? Have we information on this?’

Arnie straightened. Paulo wiped the tears that had been cascading down his own face and told her, ‘My mama and Lonia could possibly be on the train that we know will leave Vittel in two days’ time. We have to rescue them, and all the Jews, although we cannot offer much assistance to others, after this.’

Arnie had now composed himself. ‘We know that the train will pass through Troyes at seven p.m. We plan to attack it, on the Paris side. We will set detonators to slow its progress, but not derail it, and then mount a surprise attack. You are both trained in this technique and we need you to carry out the detonation.’