‘What do you mean, a little unorthodox?’ said Felix suspiciously.

Roz shrugged. ‘They’re not like the other families who’ve come by, and if you went by appearance alone you’d think they were paupers, but they’re far from that, if their address is anything to go by. It’s more the way they present themselves. The father and daughter are …’ she paused whilst she came up with a kind description, ‘… preoccupied, but the grandmother seems pleasant enough.’

‘How do you mean, preoccupied?’ Felix asked.

‘It’s hard to explain,’ said Roz after some thought. She knew if she were to show any doubts, Felix would try to talk her out of it. She was already teetering on the edge of staying at Dovercourt as it was, and that would ruin her chances of being reunited with her parents sooner rather than later. ‘If I were to guess, I’d say this was the grandmother’s idea.’

‘I think you should stay here with us until someone better comes along,’ said Felix protectively, ‘someone who’ll appreciate you.’

Roz smiled kindly. ‘Felix, we’ve been here for a couple of weeks, and this is the closest I’ve come to a foster family. What’s the likelihood that someone else will come along who lives as close to the Liver Building as they do?’

Felix looked down at his shoes. ‘You don’t have to live close in order to find your folks again. As long as Mr Jones knows where you are, I’m sure he’ll tell the people at the Liver Building and …’

‘And you can’t rely on other people,’ said Roz frankly. ‘This may not be my ideal, but I’d be silly to turn it down.’

Adele nudged Felix gently. ‘She’s right, you know, and even though I’ll miss her as much as you, I think this is what’s best for Roz. Besides, we can always write.’ She looked to Roz, who nodded.

‘Fourteen Ranelagh Street, Liverpool,’ said Roz. ‘According to Mr Jones, it’s in a very smart part of the city.’ She looked towards the door which had opened behind her.

‘Are you ready?’ asked Reggie.

She smiled. ‘As I’ll ever be.’

‘We’ll walk you out,’ said Felix, who wanted an excuse to see the foster family for himself as well as spend as much time with Roz as he could.

As they approached the foyer, Lilith, Callum and Suzie were waiting by the entrance.

Felix cast an eye over each of them separately before muttering from the corner of his mouth to Roz, who smiled at his comment. ‘I see what you mean.’

Roz put her suitcase down and hugged Adele first, then Felix. ‘Don’t forget to keep in touch, and thanks for everything.’

He looked over her shoulder to where Suzie Haggarty was eyeing him with interest.

‘Time we were off,’ said Callum gruffly.