Ron tried not to look flattered by this praise. He drew up a second chair and regarded Danuta. ‘Did Nurse Hopkins tell you about her injuries?’ he asked softly.

Dolly nodded. ‘It’s a miracle she’s still alive – but I blame myself entirely for what happened to her. I knew she’d been compromised, and should have insisted she return home sooner.’ She gave a deep, remorseful sigh. ‘But she was determined to rescue those airmen before she left – and thank God she did. Hitler’s order to have them executed as spies was delivered within hours of their escape.’

‘You’re not the only one to feel guilty, Dolly. To be sure she’s been preying on my mind ever since she left Beach View.’

Dolly held his gaze for a long moment. ‘She’s a brave, brave girl,’ she said finally. ‘And if she hadn’t come to us, she’d have found another way to get her revenge on those who murdered her family.’

Danuta stirred restlessly and her eyelids fluttered as she mumbled something.

‘What’s that?’ asked Ron, leaning closer. ‘I didn’t catch it, Danuta.’

‘She’s talking French,’ said Dolly, gently touching the girl’s battered face. ‘She’s saying she’s just a waitress in a bar and knows nothing.’ Dolly blinked rapidly and cleared her throat. ‘She obviously still believes she’s being held by the Gestapo.’

‘You’re safe now, acushla,’ murmured Ron, the old Irish endearment coming so easily in this emotional moment. ‘Ron and Dolly are here, and no one will ever hurt you again – never – do you understand?’

Danuta turned towards his voice, her eyelids still fluttering as she fought to wake.

‘There’s no need to fight against sleep, little one,’ soothed Dolly. ‘Ron and I will watch over you from now on.’

Danuta lay still, her tense shoulders drooping against the pillow, her body sinking into the mattress as if she realised the danger had passed, and she was with people who loved her. And then she opened her eyes and took a swift look around her before settling first on Dolly and then Ron. ‘Where is this?’ she asked, her voice roughened by lack of use for so long.

‘You’re in hospital, just outside Cliffehaven,’ said Ron, finding it hard to talk through the lump in his throat. ‘Welcome home, Danuta. We’re so very happy you’ve come back to us.’

Danuta managed a wan smile. ‘I too am happy,’ she whispered. She turned her head on the pillow and looked at Dolly. ‘Please not cry,’ she said, reaching out her heavily bandaged hand to lay it on Dolly’s wrist. ‘I soon be well to fight again.’

‘We’ll talk about that when you’re fully recovered,’ replied Dolly gruffly. ‘For now you must rest.’

‘Invasion has come? War over now?’

‘Not quite yet,’ said Dolly, still struggling with her emotions. ‘But soon – very soon.’