Now, with the memory washing over him, he shuddered. His mother knew nothing of his life on the streets, knew nothing of the sacrifice he had made in order to protect them all. Glaring at her, he gathered the rest of the items and thrust them into her arms.

‘Just for once, you can feel what it’s like to be out there in the middle of things, instead of tucked away down a shelter,’ he rasped. ‘You can stay here and protect my hard work, whilst I go out and get more. You say I’m greedy but you have no idea what it’s like to risk your life – well, tonight you’re going to get a taste.’ He looked at Suzie. ‘You can go down the shelter. I’ll see you down myself.’

Suzie gaped at her father. ‘You can’t seriously be suggesting we leave Gran here on her own? You know she can’t manage the steps.’ She shook her head. ‘I’ll stay here.’

But Callum was adamant. ‘You’ll do as you’re damned well told,’ he snapped. ‘Your grandmother is old enough to look after herself but you aren’t, so you’ll come with me, and when you go into the shelter, if anyone asks where your gran is you’re to tell them to mind their own ruddy business, understand?’

Looking in desperation to her grandmother, Suzie turned pleading eyes to her father. ‘I know you’re angry, Dad, we both do, and Gran does appreciate what you do for us, don’t you, Gran?’

Lilith nodded. ‘But your father’s right, Suzie, people will come looking if they think there’s treasure to be had, and your father’s worked too hard to see all this taken away.’

Suzie stared at her grandmother. ‘It’s just stuff!’ she cried in anguish. ‘It’s not even our stuff!’

Gripping his daughter painfully by her elbow, Callum marched her to the door. ‘It’s nice to know that I risk my life every night for “stuff”!’ He spat the last word out as he dragged her down the stairs, Suzie objecting with every step that they shouldn’t leave Lilith on her own.

He frogmarched her to the shelter, oblivious to her pleas. ‘They’re bombing the docks!’ she cried. ‘It’s a miracle we’ve never been hit before. It’s only a matter of time, she’s your mother …’

As they neared the shelter Callum spun his daughter round to face him. ‘And that’s why she’s staying behind, because she doesn’t want to see her son risk his neck for nowt. Now get in there and keep your mouth shut!’

As he spoke they could hear the bombs begin to fall in the distance. Suzie looked fearfully in the direction of their home, then at the shelter behind her. She was about to try to break free from her father’s grip and head back to Crooked Lane when another hand gripped her other elbow.

‘Come on now, miss, it’s not safe up here. Best you get inside.’