They had spent a long time there, hoping that, in God’s eyes, Monty wasn’t a traitor, but was fighting for the side he believed in; and that he was forgiven and resting with his lovely sister, Alice. A little peace had come to them at this. And Flors’s splintered heart began to heal, with her acceptance.

And now they were waiting for Wills to bring their lovely Marjie home. She’d landed two weeks ago and, with debriefing and demobbing, was at last on her way. They could have seen her before now, but both were still on extended bereavement-leave and therefore weren’t involved in anything at Baker Street HQ.

When the doorbell finally rang, both of them jumped from their chairs and rushed to open the door, almost colliding as they did, so that when they opened it, they were giggling like children.

‘Mama, Papa. Oh, it’s good to be home.’

All three fell into a hug. Tears, laughter and love filled the circle they made. ‘My Marjella, my darling daughter.’

‘And mine!’ This indignant remark from Cyrus had them laughing again, but this time it ended in sobs and they clung together, trying to heal all they had been through.

‘There are things I have to tell you, Mama and Papa, and I don’t know if you can forgive me.’

Flors felt shocked by this. Did Marjella have anything to do with Monty’s death? Please, no . . . No!

Cyrus’s voice, strong and meaningful, cut through these thoughts. ‘Whatever decisions you made, or actions you took, were done as they should have been, I have no doubt about that, my darling. And so we have nothing to blame you for, or to forgive you for. We only have extreme pride in your ability to do the right thing, no matter what it cost you. You are truly our daughter, dearest Marjella. Don’t let anything mar your peace of mind, or stop you going forward. Forget everything bad that has happened, and remember only the good that you have lived and the happy times. It is the only way.’

Flors knew in that moment that she had to release her daughter, just as she did her son. ‘My darling, the wonderful, brave young woman who undertook her duty, and was called upon to make horrific decisions, didn’t flinch in doing so, and neither should she have done. As Papa said, you did your duty, when it was asked of you. Put all of it behind you – everything. Nothing can erase the memory of your growing up, or the happiness we all shared in our beautiful home. So now look to what’s in your future, and never let the past mar that.’

‘Oh, Mama, Papa, I so needed you to say these things to me. To give me your understanding. A great burden has lifted from me, with you saying you don’t have to forgive me.’