The scrubbed stone floor felt cold to Ella’s slipper-clad feet as she walked over to the scrubbed table, which took up most of the middle-floor space. Her whole body felt chilled, even though a fire still glowed in the hearth. She looked around her. Why didn’t anything feel or look familiar to her? But then I know why. Nothing about my world is familiar any more. I am cocooned in constant fear. Glancing over at the clock, she heard the tick-tock filling the space, as if telling of doom. She felt none of the pleasure she would normally feel at the sight of the dresser adorned with all her china, standing next to the grandfather clock.

Her surroundings didn’t reflect the love she’d poured into them over the years. It had all drained away, as if in slow drips, since she’d been unable to go to her sister Calek to try to save her. War breaking out sooner than they expected had prevented her efforts. For two whole years she’d heard nothing of Calek and Abram’s fate. During that time she’d had to contend with Paulo disappearing into the forests, and a cloud of anxiety descending further around them till it almost choked her.

Hurrying across the kitchen to Paulo, Ella took her dear son into her arms. He held her tightly. She could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest. At that moment she knew that all her fears had become a truth.

‘Mama, I have to tell you quickly. First, you, Lonia, Aunt Flors, Uncle Cyrus and Monty must leave now, tonight. Not by car, as there are roadblocks – I will guide you through the forest. I have people waiting on the other side, and they will take you cross-country to the border, to Geneva and into Switzerland. Some of that will be by tractor across fields, but mostly you will walk, so you need to dress accordingly and carry little with you. There are safe houses along the way, where you will be fed and given a night’s rest; they will ask nothing of you, and you must tell them nothing. These people are trusted, but without information they cannot have it tortured out of them. On the last leg of your journey you will be given the details of a contact who will help you further.’

‘What? How . . .? Why?’ Ella looked from Paulo to Arnie. ‘Arnie, what . . .? Oh God!’

‘Mama, the government has been rounding up British citizens for a while now. With you living so deep in the country, you haven’t yet come to their attention, but I know that you are now on a list. They will be here any day. And, Mama, if they pick you up, they will soon find out that you are . . . Oh, Mama, please go now and pack a bag. Get everything ready, compose yourself and convince Lonia that she is going on an adventure. Please, Mama.’