‘Of course, I understand that,’ John agreed. ‘And once you have spoken to Edith you are welcome to speak to Peggy also. Surely what she wants should be taken into account as well? The child has suffered quite enough heartbreak and upheaval without her having to enter an institution where she knows no one. You are also quite welcome to see her bedroom, speak to the school she attends and inspect my home, if you so wish? So now, shall I send Edith in to you?’

The woman inclined her head and without another word John left the room.

Edith entered the room shortly after as if she was going into a boxing ring. She was prepared to do whatever was necessary to keep Peggy, as the two officials soon discovered. Just before the interview ended John appeared again with a sizeable cheque made out to the orphanage and Mr Parsons’s eyes lit up like light bulbs at the size of it.

‘Why, Mr Willerby … this is more than generous,’ he announced, pocketing the cheque quickly as if he were afraid the other man might change his mind. ‘And I have to say, I think Edith would make a wonderful mother, don’t you agree, Miss Tyler?’ he said ingratiatingly.

Once again, she glared at him as she rose from her seat. ‘It just remains for me to see Peggy now. Is she here?’

‘She’s in the kitchen, as it happens,’ Edith told her. ‘I’ll fetch her in to you.’

Minutes later the little girl appeared, looking from one to the other of the strangers fearfully.

‘I’s ain’t goin’ wiv you if you’ve come to try an’ take me away,’ she announced with a quiver in her voice. ‘I loves Edith an’ livin’ at Treetops an’ all me friends is ’ere now.’

‘I see.’ Miss Tyler noted the way the child clung to Edith’s skirts. ‘Well, before I can tell you what is going to happen, I have to contact your school to get their opinion of how you are doing and then it will be down to my superiors,’ she told her as if she were talking to an adult. ‘But now, before we catch the train back to London, perhaps you would like to show me your bedroom?’

Peggy led her from the room skipping up the stairs ahead of the visitors, and in truth they couldn’t find fault with what they saw. With John’s permission, Edith had painted the room in a pretty shade of pink and dolls and books were scattered all around it. Thick, velvet curtains lined with blackout ma­­terial hung at the windows and a handmade patchwork quilt that had taken Edith many hours to lovingly make covered the bed.