Ella shook her head. ‘Too much has happened. My life has been dogged by evil men, and yet all I ever wanted to do was help people.’

Marjie didn’t know what she meant by this – had there been other times when her dear Aunt Ella had been violated? Maybe in the last war? Not knowing what to say, she wiped Ella’s tears with her thumb. ‘I promise you: everything can get better, and we’ll fight to make it so. Don’t give up, Aunt Ella. You and Mama and Aunt Mags were heroines in the last war. Dig into the spirit that fuelled you then. You can do it. For Lonia and Paulo and Arnie, you can.’

‘My dear Marjella. I fear for you. Arnie tells me that he will arrange for me and Lonia to be air-lifted out and taken to England. Come with me, you and Sibbie. Come to where it is safe, with Mags and your mama . . . Are they safe? Is the North of England missing all the bombing?’

‘Yes, you will be safe there. They have had bombing attacks, but they aren’t a major target. And the attacks are few and far between. But I can’t come. I am a serving officer in the British army and I have to do my duty. But don’t worry about me. And don’t tell Mama too much about the activities I’m engaged in. I don’t want her to worry.’

Ella smiled, a weak, pitiful smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Lifting her hand, she stroked a stray piece of hair from Marjella’s forehead. ‘My darling girl, so brave. I pray the evil of this world doesn’t touch you as it has done me.’

Marjie couldn’t stop the tears running down her face. A sob brought the rest of the room into focus. Her papa was holding Arnie, his best friend, as Arnie’s body convulsed in agonizing cries. Aunt Ella looked round, but seemed unable to move. ‘Go to him, Aunt Ella. Go to your Arnie. Don’t punish him for what others have done to you.’

‘Arnie. Arnie, my love.’ He broke away from Papa’s hold and went to Ella. To see them hold each other, really hold each other, with no resistance from Ella, had them all in tears. After a moment Paulo joined them. ‘Mama, you’re back now. When this is over, we will all help you to forget.’

Ella turned to her son. ‘Paulo, my darling son, what happened to me is something you can never forget. You learn to live with it. It becomes something that happened to a former you. I will strive to do that, I promise.’