‘Well, now that you have a chance to change that for one of them, wouldn’t you want to do that? Wouldn’t you want at least one of the children in your care to win through and be back with her parents – loved and cared for, and recovering from all she has been through?’ Flors told Matron of the plan that she and Mags had for Lonia and Ella, and how Mags’s home would be a haven for them both.

Matron sighed. ‘Yes, of course. Look, I will do my best, but the process isn’t short. I will need to know all about this Mags – her full name for a start.’

‘She’s Mrs Margaret Cadley.’

‘Well, she needs to be checked out – we will have to speak to her local clergy and her doctor, and references will be required.’

‘What? Lonia is going to be in the care of her own mama, assisted by Mags, until she is stronger. You cannot need to check out the child’s own mother, surely?’

‘I need authority.’

‘Is authority from the War Office enough? They put her into your care, through their welfare system, didn’t they?’

‘Well, yes, of course. But—’

‘Then may I use your telephone?’

Getting through to William Parsons posed even more difficulties, but at last Flors heard his voice. ‘Captain Parsons, it’s Flors Harpinham. I need your help.’

On explaining the situation to Wills, he said immediately that he would help and agreed to send a communication at once to the home and to the hospital to inform them of his decision. ‘Putting Mrs Smith-Palmer’s child in the home was our only option when her mother collapsed. I’m sorry, but you were up in the North, and we couldn’t care for her.’

‘I understand. Thank you for helping me.’ Flors wanted so much to ask if there was further news on Randolph, and to be reassured that Cyrus was still coming back to her. And to ask how Marjella and Sibbie were, and Arnie and Paulo, but she knew she must not do so.

‘That’s all right . . . Erm, Mrs Harpinham, I meant to tell you that the delivery you are waiting for will be here soon.’

Flors caught her breath. ‘Oh? That’s wonderful news. I will wait at my home address for it. Thank you.’

The telephone went dead. Flors wanted to jump for joy. Cyrus, my Cyrus. Please, God, don’t let it be long before I can hold him. I need him so much.

As she left the home, Flors’s heart sang. Lonia was smiling properly for the first time as they made their way back to the hospital. When they arrived there, the loving reunion between Ella and Lonia was a joy to watch.