A moment’s concern for her darling Randie attacked her, as he looked so fragile, but then he smiled and waved and dispelled her worry. In no time she was enclosed in Cyrus’s arms, and then in Randie’s. ‘Oh, my darlings, I cannot believe you are here.’

‘No, neither can we, darling. Oh, Flors, I’ve missed you so much.’

His kiss told her how much, and awoke her need for her darling Cyrus. ‘I wish you hadn’t to go with those men for a debriefing, but it has to be done. I hope you’re not away too long, my darling. I’ll be counting the hours.’

‘I’ll tell them all I know as quickly as I can.’

With this he released her, and she was able to hold Randie to her again. ‘My darling, everything will be all right. We’ll make it so. I’ll help you to get well and strong again. I can’t erase your memories, but perhaps I can help you to live with it all.’

She was rewarded with a watery smile that tore at her heart. Her Randie, her big strong son – the adventurous one, the one always ready to take on a challenge – reduced to this. War wasn’t only pointless; it was the cruellest action she knew of.

Cyrus drew her attention away from these thoughts. ‘Flors, my darling, there is something I have to tell you. Whether HQ will be able to put our minds at rest, my darling, I don’t know. But something bad happened as we left. It has affected Randie greatly, as it has me.’

Flors listened with horror as Cyrus told her of them seeing the Germans from the air. ‘They were closing in on the Resistance. We tried to warn them on the radio, but they did not hear us. They were all engaged in breaking down the temporary runway.’

‘Oh my God, Cyrus! No! Oh, I hope they are all right.’

‘Flors, I – I . . . well, I have to tell you that Sibbie, Paulo, Arnie and our darling Marjella were among them. We had to leave, so we didn’t see what happened, but I’m hoping that news of them has got through to HQ, and that it is good news.’

The horror turned to inner terror. ‘Oh, Cyrus, no! I can’t bear it – I can’t.’

‘You can, my darling, Flors. I don’t know anyone stronger. Stay strong for Randie. As he is already traumatized, this has added to his mental torture.’

Flors took a deep breath. ‘I will, my darling, I promise you. But the moment you can, please let me know.’

The officials came forward then: nameless men, distinguished only by their deadpan expressions. ‘Mr Harpinham, sir. We need to go.’

Cyrus nodded, then turned to Flors and held her to him. ‘Stay strong, darling. Look after our son.’