Ma’s body sank and her weight bore down on Rosie, whose own body was folding. Then a wail came from Betsy that filled the room with the tangible pain that none of them had let in, at the initial shock.

‘Ma . . . Ma . . .’ The gasp that Roddie took after saying this was audible as a groan.

Nothing seemed real to Rosie. Her only reality was the need to help her ma and Roddie and Angus. ‘Help me get Ma to the sofa, Roddie. Come on, lad. Do this for your ma.’

With Ma on the sofa, her face as white as a sheet, her mouth still slack and her eyes staring into nothing, Rosie felt extreme worry for her. She couldn’t let in the terrible, devastating truth, because she had to care for her ma. ‘Roddie lad, put the kettle on. Ma needs some very sweet tea – you knaw where she keeps her stash, lad. Go on, do it, Roddie. Ma’s in shock. She could take very ill with it.’

‘But . . . Rosie . . . I – I, oh God!’ Roddie’s face was wet with tears and his breathing came in great sobbing gasps.

‘Roddie! Roddie lad, please, do as I say. In helping others, we find strength in ourselves.’

Roddie turned and picked up the kettle. Satisfied that she’d stopped him from breaking down completely, Rosie went to her ma. Grabbing the blanket that was always folded on the sofa for Betsy’s legs, as she was one to feel the cold, Rosie wrapped it around her. ‘Ma. Eeh, Ma, hold on, love. Don’t let go completely. Our Daisy and our Florrie would want you to carry on.’

Angus moved at that moment and sat down next to Betsy. Thank goodness, Rosie thought, Angus had recovered himself and was ready to help his wife. ‘Betsy, me wee lassie. Our lassies, oh God! Let me hold ye, me lassie, as me world is falling around me, and I knaw as yours is, tae.’

Ma didn’t resist, and fell into Angus’s arms. ‘Help me, Angus, help me.’

‘We’ll help each other, me lassie. We’ll tac this road together.’

Rosie felt her own tears leak from her broken heart, as she watched this beloved and devoted couple rocking together, as a child might do when extremely distressed. Sinking into the chair behind her, Rosie tried to take in what had happened. ‘Was the ship attacked, Angus? Did the telegram say?’