Ella nodded, swallowing her tears. She would never argue with Whitney. She looked sadly down at Godzilla. Sam would have liked him. Sam loved dogs. He’d always wanted one of his own.

She wondered if there would be other dogs at the palace. Jester said they had it all set up nice. Like a farm. Maybe there would be chickens and lambs. She’d like to see some lambs.

Maybe Godzilla would try to chase them.

No. They’d keep him on a leash.

“You all right?” Whitney looked up and squeezed Ella’s knee.

“I think so.”

Maxie left her team on the flank and moved among the kids, making sure they were okay. Joking about their clothes. She saw Ella on Whitney’s shoulders, the two of them chatting away. Whitney was wearing a new white tracksuit that was slightly tight on her big body.

Ella looked like she’d been crying. Maxie asked if she was all right.

“She’s okay,” said Whitney. “She was just thinking about her brother, Sam. I told her he’s gone to heaven, where he’ll be happy.”

“Yeah.” Maxie patted Ella’s leg. “Don’t fret about him. He’s gone somewhere where he can’t be hurt anymore.”

“I miss him.”

“We all miss him. But when we get to the palace we can make new friends, meet new people. They’ll never replace Sam, I know, but it’ll be a new start for us.”

“Will there be princesses at the palace?”

Maxie laughed. “I don’t think so, darling. Just ordinary kids like us. So you stop your crying, okay? Just think happy thoughts.”

“What about you?” said Whitney, fixing Maxie with a stare. “You thinking happy thoughts?”

“Trying to. Trying to keep busy.”

“So, you’re good?”

“I’m good,” said Maxie.

Whitney studied her. “If you’re lying I’ll know.”

“As good as can be expected,” said Maxie.

“That’s right,” said Whitney. “Reckon that’s the best any of us can say. Is that boy Blue behaving himself?”

Maxie nodded. “I guess so. We’re sorting it out between us.”

“He’s cool, you know,” said Whitney. “He helped all of us in Morrisons through some hard times, some really hard times, you better believe it. That’s why he’s in charge.”

“I was wondering about that,” said Maxie. “In the meeting, back at Waitrose, you seemed to be the one that everyone listened to.”

“Blue runs around and shouts and waves his spear, but it’s us sisters who really rule the roost. The kids, though, they felt safer with a man . . . well, a boy, in charge. A fighter. There was a lot of fighting in them days.”

“You needed a wartime leader,” said Maxie.

“War is right. And speaking of war, you should be out on the flank with your team. I can look after the little ones.”

“Sure.” Maxie smiled and rejoined her unit.