‘That’s the question which I fear we may soon have answered.’

They stared at each other, and Felix could clearly see the fear and dread in the other man’s eyes. ‘I need to get to Liverpool,’ he said. ‘There must be someone who needs an older boy to help out.’

Reggie ran his tongue over his bottom lip. ‘We’re meant to wait for people to come to us, but I reckon if I asked around to see if anyone wanted a live-in farmhand or groom, we might have more success. How would you feel about that?’

Felix shrugged. ‘I don’t care, as long as it gets me there. To be honest, I didn’t think anyone would want a boy of my age to stay with them for free; I expected to work for my keep.’

‘You’re a good lad. I’ll make some calls and see what I can do.’ Mr Jones stood up. ‘Just for the record, Adele’s foster family are absolutely fine. I’ve spoken to her since she left, and she’s very happy. Did she give you her address?’

Felix nodded. ‘The three of us said from the start that we’d keep in touch, so I shall write to her letting her know what’s what with Roz. I daresay Adele’s already written, and she’ll be happier knowing that we know things aren’t right and we’re doing something about it.’ He tutted under his breath. ‘Adele so was eager for Roz to have a good Christmas, hoping that it might cheer her up. She’ll be dreadfully disappointed to find out that Roz’s new family aren’t all they made themselves out to be.’ He gazed at the heavily decorated Christmas tree. ‘I very much doubt the Haggartys will have the beautiful decorations we do.’

‘Chin up,’ said Reggie. ‘This may not be the Christmas you’d wish for your friend, but hopefully next year things will be different.’ He pushed his chair back into place before walking away.

Felix picked at the kippers again with his fork. How could they have been so careless? Especially after everything Roz had been through. He dreaded to think what life was like for her right now, but no matter what, he was determined to find her and make everything better.

March 1939

Christmas had not been acknowledged by the Haggartys in any way, shape or form. Not that Roz had been surprised, as she had soon learned their only concern was to make money, not spend it.