‘I agree. I think, as I know London, that I should leave now, and you should stay with Ella, as we promised her that we wouldn’t leave her. I’ll sort something out for us, although it isn’t going to be easy. London is broken; well, its people aren’t, they are amazing, but there cannot be many places to rent. I think we’ll have to go back to my house. There’s very few people left around there who remember everything from twenty years ago. We’ll have to take the chance, in the immediate future.’

‘I agree, but, Flors, I think Ella would fare so much better at my house. She will be in the countryside, there’s someone to look after her all the time and, especially, where Lonia is concerned. If Lonia is traumatized, and there’s a fair bet that she is, then she doesn’t need to be around death and destruction – the bombing raids and the extreme shortages that the poor Londoners are experiencing.’

‘You’re right. Yes, that is the best solution. But I do need to be here, as these are my people. I want to help them, and the war effort; and besides, Cyrus will be here soon and working in London. Oh, Mags, will you be able to manage without me? Will Ella?’

‘It isn’t what I want, and I know Ella will feel the same, but it is the only solution, Flors. Why not spend your time today finding out how we can get Lonia released to us, and then come back here and we’ll work it out from there?’

‘I will. Thank you, Mags. Sometimes I think I can conquer the world on my own, but I realize that I can’t, and compromises have to be made.’

Back at Ella’s side, they told her the plan. ‘I would love that, Mags, thank you. I’ve a lovely memory of visiting your home when we were younger. We sat in the garden for hours, laughing and chattering. The sun was warm, the trees rustling in the breeze, birds chirped, and all to the beautiful backdrop of the dramatic scenery you have in the North.’

‘Well, it won’t be long before we can sit in the garden, as already the trees are budding and early spring bulbs are pushing through. The birds are in abundance, too, fighting over a piece of flotsam as they build their nests, or over the lady they want to share it with.’ Ella laughed at this, and Mags felt her heart gladden. ‘Oh, and we have a summerhouse – a new one, as the old one was tumbling down. I love sitting in there in the afternoons and have my tea served there most days. There’s a rocking chair in there, you’ll love that.’

‘I will, and Lonia will.’

‘She will, and children thrive in our neck of the woods.’