And many of the faces she recognized from her book readings were there, watching her with tired, bright smiles.

“I...” Grace’s words caught. “You did all of this?”

“We worked through the night and most of the day,” Mrs. Kittering said. “Lucky for us there wasn’t a single air raid.”

“It isn’t all organized yet,” Mrs. Smithwick said apologetically, fingering the pearls at her neck. “But we’re working on it.”

“You’ve done a fine job, Mrs. Smithwick,” Jack said to her with a nod.

She beamed broadly, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes crinkling.

“This is incredible,” Grace breathed. If she looked for hours on end, she still might not believe that her shop was back in working condition.

“We had to use scraps to put it all together.” Jack glanced about, his eyes squinted in assessment. “But it’s a sound shop, so long as the Germans don’t try bombing it again.”

“I don’t know how I can ever repay you.” Grace put her hand to her chest. Her heart felt too large to fit within its confines.

“Everyone wanted to do their bit to help,” Jack said with a nod to the group.

He moved back and little Sarah took a step forward. Grace recognized the blue-and-white polka-dot dress as one Mrs. Weatherford had sewn from some of Viv’s spare fabric.

Sarah sucked in a deep breath and announced in a very loud voice, much like an actress, “Every day you read to a crowd. But they’re not just stories, for many of us, they’re a sanctuary.” She said the last word slowly and Jimmy gave her a thumbs-up. She twisted with apparent pride as children are wont to do and took a deep breath again, meeting Grace’s eye. “And you’re not just someone who reads to us. You’re a hero.”

Such words rendered Grace speechless. She wavered on her feet, light-headed with gratitude.

Jack approached her. “You saved my life, Miss Bennett. Were it not for your readings, I’d have been blown to bits at Marble Arch. Thank you.”

He didn’t wait for a reply and stepped back, lowering his head with gratitude. Mrs. Kittering replaced his position at Grace’s side. “I was in a dark place when you found me sobbing in your store. You gave me the light to keep going. Thank you.”

She departed and Jimmy stepped forward. “I couldn’t have cared for Sarah the way you’ve done along with Mrs. Weatherford. You gave us food and clothes when we had none.”

“And now a home,” Sarah said as she peered shyly from his side. “Thank you.”

“That makes me so happy,” Grace said, realizing the children had agreed to come live with her and Mrs. Weatherford.