‘Cyrus, at this moment, as never before, I’m glad that dear Rowena has gone to heaven, where she is safe. She couldn’t have trudged miles in the dark, and if we are caught, she would have had to face so much, because of being Jamaican. From what I have read and heard about this Nazi regime, only Aryans are really acceptable to them.’

‘Yes, Rowena’s happy and safe, darling. I know it has been difficult for you, these last months since she died, but now you can be happy for her.’

By the time they met up with a man and woman, whom Paulo introduced to them to as Mona and Philippe, dawn was breaking. The sky looked beautiful, streaked with vivid reds and dark shadowy blues, watched over by a pale moon that was being hidden by the tops of the mountains. Outlined against the last brightness that the moon gave, the trees stood, black and majestic. Ella’s thoughts were that such stunning beauty had no right to be the backdrop to her misery, and yet the scene was full of hope of a new day dawning, and she prayed that such a day would bring hope to her once more.

‘We have to leave you here.’ Paulo’s voice shook with emotion. He had long since taken Lonia from Arnie and was holding onto his little sister as if for the last time. Ella felt her world shatter. To say goodbye to her beloved husband and son was tearing her to shreds.

Memories assailed her, as Paulo – her beloved late-husband – came to mind. How proud he would be of their wonderful son, his namesake, who was showing the same bravery fighting this war as his father had shown, when he’d fought his war. Paulo would be saying, ‘Be brave, mon amour. Give your husband and our son a smile as you send them off to their destiny.’

And that’s what she would do, for Lonia’s sake and theirs. ‘Well, my darlings, though my heart is breaking, let us part with a smile for each other, and for Lonia to remember. Think of us when you carry out all that you have to, and let our memory – and our need for you to return to us and take care of us – make you take greater care of yourselves in your actions and decisions. We will pray for you every day.’