‘So maybe the best thing would be for Ulysses to be adopted,’ Olive went on. ‘There are plenty of people looking for babies to adopt. Even ugly ones like Ulysses.’

‘He’s not all that ugly,’ said Bertie mildly.

‘Oh, but he is, Bertie,’ said Olive. ‘My mummy saw him with your mummy in George Street one day. She said that she had a terrible shock.’

‘That’s not to say that he’s not a really nice little baby,’ said Pansy comfortingly. ‘And people who really want a baby maybe won’t even notice his face.’

Olive now moved the discussion on from Ulysses. ‘Where was your mummy when you last saw her?’ she said.

Bertie explained about the containers of clothing and household essentials that were being sent off to Romania, and Olive nodded gravely. ‘I’ve heard all about that,’ she said. ‘It’s a really kind thing to do – even if it’s useless.’

‘I don’t think it’s useless,’ said Bertie. ‘I’m sure that they’re really pleased to get them.’

‘No they aren’t,’ said Olive, peremptorily. ‘I’ve heard that the Romanians are really fed up getting all this useless old Scottish clothing when they’ve got their own jeans to wear. I’ve heard that the moment those lorries turn back, the Romanians chuck all the stuff in the bin. That’s what I’ve heard.’

Bertie was on the point of refuting this when their attention was suddenly distracted. A door at the side of the school building opened, and they saw their teacher, Miss Maclaren Hope, come out into the playground. She looked about her, and then, seeing Bertie, she gave an excited wave.

Bertie, wondering what he had done wrong, began to walk over towards the teacher. She, however, was coming to him, and had broken into a run. ‘Bertie!’ she shouted. ‘Bertie – I’ve got some wonderful news for you!’

Bertie stood stock still.

‘Your mummy is safe and sound!’ panted Miss Maclaren Hope. ‘Safe! Quite safe! And she should be back later today. Your daddy will come and collect you.’

Bertie felt an overpowering sense of relief. ‘Back?’ he stuttered. ‘She’s back?’

‘Yes,’ gushed Miss Maclaren Hope. ‘And do you know what happened, Bertie? She got stuck in one of those big containers. They closed the door by mistake while she was inside. Can you believe it? Poor Mummy! And they didn’t hear her banging on the side until they had got right the way to Hungary! And then the silly Hungarian police arrested her and didn’t understand what she was saying. But fortunately everything was sorted out and she’s almost back in Edinburgh.’

Olive, who had now sidled up, patted Bertie on the back. ‘That’s such good news, Bertie,’ she said. Then, looking at the teacher, she went on, ‘We were comforting him, Miss Maclaren Hope. Pansy and I were comforting him.’