‘She is; she lived in England for a while so that she could perfect her English.’ A thought suddenly occurred to Roz. ‘Where are your parents? I know you said you got aboard the Kindertransport because you didn’t, but what happened to your mum and dad?’

‘They’re hoping to come over at a later date, but in the meantime they’re doing what everyone else is, keeping their heads down and hoping for the best.’

‘Surely you could all come back?’ said Felix. ‘With you being British in the first place?’

Adele dropped her gaze to her fingernails. ‘That’s what I said, but my mother worried they might think we’d come over to spy.’ She shrugged helplessly. ‘Who knows what goes through their heads?’

‘I’m afraid she’s probably right, but at least they know where you are,’ said Roz, ‘and you can always write.’

Adele smiled. ‘I have faith in mankind. The rest of the world can’t stand back and do nothing, and us being sent to another country is just the start. You watch, this next time year, Hitler will be in prison and everything will be back to normal!’

The children from the Kindertransport had been in Dovercourt Holiday Camp, Harwich for two weeks. Roz’s injuries had healed well, but despite Adele’s prediction of her being the first to be fostered because she was the prettiest, it seemed that the British public preferred the younger refugees.

Adele walked into the canteen, her hands on her hips. ‘Someone’s just taken the twins! They can hardly speak German, never mind English!’

Roz laughed. ‘But they’re delightful angels—’

‘No, they’re not!’ snapped Adele. ‘They’re positively evil! The little devils put mashed potato in my shoes last night.’

Roz grinned. ‘I know they can be mischievous, but you can’t blame them. The poor things are bored to tears, they have to keep themselves entertained somehow.’

A wicked smiled tweaked the corners of Adele’s mouth. ‘Their new parents are in for quite the surprise – serves them right for picking youth over experience.’

Reggie Jones entered the canteen and waved to Roz, who immediately left her seat and went to join him. ‘Any news?’ she asked hopefully.

‘I’m afraid not, although some say that no news is good news,’ he said, resolutely upbeat.

‘Has anyone heard back from the people who work in the Liver Building? My father might already be there.’

He pushed his hands into his pockets. ‘We have, and I’m afraid not, although they have said they will get in touch should he make an appearance.’ He laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. ‘Chin up. We’re pretty sure your parents haven’t been arrested or taken to one of the camps, because we’d have heard about it, what with the accident and all.’

‘I know, and I’m so grateful for all your help, but if they’re not there, then where are they?’