As they continued to kiss, the soldier cleared his throat before stepping forward. ‘Righto, mate, we really do have to go.’

Felix reluctantly broke away from Roz. ‘One more minute, please.’ Without waiting for the soldier to respond, he turned back to Roz, his eyes twinkling as they locked with hers, and he said the words that Roz realised she had been longing to hear.

‘Roz Sachs, will you be my one and only?’

Beaming through the tears, Roz nodded fervently. ‘Of course I will.’

Shaking the soldier off his arm, he took Roz in his arms and kissed her for the final time, although this time the kiss was deeper and longer than the first. As he broke away, his lips brushed her cheek and he whispered, ‘I love you, Rozalin Sachs, and I don’t give two hoots what the neighbours think.’

Roz managed to get the words ‘I love you too’ out, as the soldier took hold of Felix, slightly more roughly than he had the first time, but before he could lead him away, Felix thrust his hand into his pocket and pulled out an object which he handed to Roz.

‘You can wear it now you no longer live in Crooked Lane.’

Roz took the necklace in her fingers and kissed the star. Watching the soldiers lead him up the gangplank, she called after him, ‘I’ll be right here waiting for you, Felix Ackerman.’

Just before he was led from view Felix managed to turn his head and smile. ‘I know you will, my little bubala.’

Roz stopped in her tracks. The only person who ever called her bubala had been her father, and she was almost certain that she had never mentioned it to Felix. Was this a sign? Were they about to be parted for ever? Fishing a handkerchief from her dungarees pocket, she stopped a soldier who was about to move the gangplank.

‘Excuse me!’

Turning to acknowledge her, the soldier paused, ‘Can I help you, miss?’

‘Why do they have to stay on a ship?’ she asked, wiping her tears with her handkerchief. ‘Surely there’re other places they could stay?’

He frowned, looking from Roz to the Dunera and back again. ‘How else would they get to Canada?’

‘Canada!’ cried Roz. Her knees gave way and she fell against the soldier who caught her before she hit the ground.

Her face white with shock, she looked at the soldier who was frowning with concern. ‘They never said he was going to Canada. I just assumed he would be staying here …’ Hearing her own words, she realised now how silly this sounded. She turned pleading eyes to the soldier, who was looking both guilty and embarrassed. ‘He’s the only person I have left. I’ve lost my parents, and now the man I love most in the world. Couldn’t you make an exception, turn a blind eye? I swear I won’t tell a soul.’