‘We’ll help you, my darling.’ With this, Arnie held Ella close. And later, when they allocated the beds, and Ella said she wanted to sleep in Arnie’s bed, Marjie felt like cheering. She caught Sibbie’s eye, and Sibbie winked at her and gave her a smile that said, ‘You did that.’ Marjie’s heart beat a little warmer, as she knew that she had.

Snuggled up to Sibbie in the bed they shared brought Marjie a little comfort. Sibbie lifting the blanket told her that her cousin wanted to chat, so together they pulled the thick woollen blanket over their heads.

‘Marjie, are you all right?’

‘Not really, Sibbie. Today shocked me.’

‘It did me, too. I still feel shaky inside. But I’ve no regrets. You don’t have any, do you?’

‘Yes. The last soldier to die – he was surrendering, Sibbie.’

‘Your papa did the only thing he could do. You have to think of that – and that alone.’

‘I will try.’

‘I was terrified, weren’t you?’

‘Yes, but it was as if all the training had prepared us for that moment, and I was a different person. Not the Marjella who grew up sheltered from harm and responsibility, but a hard murderer, to whom life meant nothing.’

‘I understand, because I didn’t think of the Germans as people – not at the time. Now I can’t stop thinking about them, and about their mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters or wives and children. They are going to get the brown envelope that our own families dread – or whatever the Germans deliver to bereaved families.’

‘Don’t. Oh, Sibbie.’

‘I’m glad I feel this way, though, as it proves that I am still a caring person. I haven’t changed, and I’m only doing my duty.’

‘Yes, and we wouldn’t be doing any of this if the Germans hadn’t invaded my country and were looking to invade yours.’

‘I feel better now, do you, Marjie?’

‘Yes. Try to get some sleep, Sibbie.’

They settled down again, Marjie with her arm around Sibbie. She didn’t really feel better about it all, just better that Sibbie had found a way to deal with it. For herself, she wondered if she ever would deal with it; but no matter, for she would do it all again if the need arose.

They reached the Resistance camp the next day, and plans were made for Sibbie and Marjie to return to Madame Bachelet’s shop. When the time arrived, Ella clung to Marjie, but Lonia was still distant, as if she couldn’t let herself feel anything.

‘Lonia, come and give me a hug.’