Having made her sandwich, she wandered over to the window and looked out onto the street below where the people of Liverpool continued with their busy lives. It’s as though nothing has changed, Roz thought to herself, yet as far as I’m concerned, nothing will ever be the same again. I got my first boyfriend, and lost him within seconds of him asking me to be his belle. Taking a bite of her sandwich, she chewed thoughtfully. It seemed to Roz that every time she made arrangements to move somewhere else, the people she loved most were taken away from her. Felix was the only one who understood what it was like back in Germany, to have your parents go missing, to not know whether you’ll ever see them again. She wiped an errant tear from her cheek. She was on her own. She might have Mabel, but Mabel could never understand what it was like to be a Jewish refugee, in a country which now saw you as the enemy. Not feeling like doing anything much, she finished eating before curling up on the settee and falling asleep, where her dreams turned into nightmares with Felix adrift in the ocean shouting out for help.

It was the morning after Felix’s deportation, and Roz was up betimes. Having not had much sleep the night before, she supposed it was better for her to be busy, so she got ready for work at the laundry. Hurrying down the stairs which led to the road, she found Mabel walking up to greet her.

Roz was about to explain all that had happened the previous day, but it seemed bad news travelled fast.

‘Our Robin told us everything – poor Felix. I was dying to come and see you last night, but my tummy was still playing cartwheels.’

Roz nodded. ‘Thanks, Mabel, and don’t worry, I know you’d have come if you could. I hope you’re feeling better?’

‘Much, thanks, but never mind me – how are you feeling this morning?’ said Mabel, falling into step beside Roz.

‘Numb,’ said Roz simply. ‘I don’t think it’s sunk in yet, and of course I’m ever hopeful that something else will happen that might cause the Dunera to turn back.’

Mabel smiled sympathetically. ‘I reckon Felix is probably hoping the same.’

‘I wish I was eighteen,’ said Roz. ‘They might have taken me too.’

‘What about your mam and dad?’ Mabel asked. ‘You’d not find them if you were living in Australia.’

Roz looked grim. ‘I may not find them living in Liverpool either. In fact, the more time that goes by, the more I start to wonder if I shall ever see them again.’

Mabel walked on in silence before speaking her thoughts. ‘Do you really think that?’

Roz hesitated before answering. ‘How can I not? It’s been over a year now and no one saw my parents after the crash. For all I know, the Germans already have them.’ She added hastily, ‘I hope not, of course I do, but it does seem strange that they were nowhere to be seen. I know my parents wouldn’t have left me on my own, not willingly.’