‘I’m glad I can help. It must be awful not knowing what happened to your folks. At least I know my mum has been taken to one of the camps.’

Roz averted her gaze from Felix. She didn’t know what happened to the people who ended up being taken to the camps, but when her father had come back from work with reports of associates being taken, his face had been etched with worry, and the dark looks he had exchanged with his wife hadn’t reassured her. Roz had tried asking why they were taking people of Jewish descent to the camps, and whether it was like a holiday camp, but her mother had burst into tears and her father had hushed her angrily, then apologised when he saw his daughter’s face.

‘Sorry, bubala, I didn’t mean to lose my temper.’ He had beckoned her to join him and her mother in their embrace, kissing the top of her head. ‘You needn’t worry about the camps because you will never be going to one, I don’t care what I have to do.’

Aware that she hadn’t responded to Felix’s explanation, Roz gave him a fleeting smile. ‘How about we make a pact to help each other get our folks to England?’

He smiled back, although Roz could see uncertainty in his eyes. ‘My mum wasn’t like your parents; she doesn’t have a job waiting for her in England. I can’t see them letting her leave the country. I think it’s going to be a long time before I see her again.’

Roz took his hand in hers. ‘Someone will stop Hitler, probably someone like Reggie Jones – he’s already getting children out of Germany, so other countries must realise what Hitler’s doing. They can’t let him carry on.’

Felix looked at their hands, then back at Roz. ‘I’m sure you’re right, and when they do, we’ll get our families together and have a party to celebrate.’

Roz was distracted by a movement outside the door. Reggie Jones opened it purposefully.

‘Get your things, we’re in Holland. Spread the word.’

Roz and Felix retrieved their suitcases as the children around them cheered in unison. Felix winked at Roz. ‘No one can hurt us now.’

They stepped down onto the platform and waited for the others to join them. As they watched the children spilling out of the carriages Roz noticed the soldiers who had entered their carriage earlier marching up and down the train, checking under seats and giving the train a thorough inspection. Reggie arrived at her side and jerked his head in their direction.

‘They’re checking for stowaways; they’re dying for an excuse to shut us down.’