Betsy wiped her eyes on her apron and went towards Ella. ‘Eeh, lass, it’s good to meet you at last. I knaws all about you. You’re a heroine, just like my Mags. And I’m right sorry for what you’ve been through, lass. If I could get hold of that Hitler, I’d string him up by his . . . Aye, well, I won’t say it, as you’re a lady; and I wouldn’t in front of your little one, anyroad. But by, I wished it could happen.’

Mags noticed that Ella showed no surprise at the hug Betsy gave her and was glad to see her laugh out loud. Ella was getting used to the northern way of greeting. Mags smiled to herself as a memory came to her of the first time she’d met Ella all those years ago, on King’s Cross station as they had waited to be taken to Belgium in 1914. Three Voluntary Aid nurses – herself, Ella and Flors – young and excited, without any fear of what lay ahead of them, but sure they could conquer the world. She’d surprised them both by hugging them, when they had offered a formal handshake.

When Betsy turned her attention to Lonia and gestured to her to come and have a hug, Lonia went willingly into Betsy’s arms.

‘By, you’re a bonny lass. I’m pleased to meet you.’

‘My name’s Lonia, and I’m to call you “Aunty Betsy”. I like that name. Were you named after someone? I was named after my mama’s nanny. I never met her, but Mama says she was a lovely lady and I should be honoured to have her name.’

‘It’s a lovely name an’ all. I’m named after me ma. And she were a lovely lady an’ all. Weren’t she, Mags?’

‘She was. And is still missed. By the way, Ciss sends her love.’

Looking at Lonia, Betsy said, ‘That’s me sister, you knaw.’

‘I haven’t got a sister. I’ve got a brother. Well, he’s a half-brother as we have different papas. He’s called Paulo, but his papa died.’

‘Oh dear, what Mags hasn’t told you about me, Betsy, you’ll learn from Lonia.’

They all laughed at this, from Ella.

‘Well, come on in. I’ve got the pot on the go and I’ve baked some raspberry buns with home-made jam. Mind, it’s a bit runny without the proper amount of sugar, and it’s seeped into the cake mixture and made it pink an’ all, so they look unusual, but they taste nice.’