The work was approved and there was still some time left before the end of the class. Mrs Kelly pushed the wrapping paper across the desk. ‘There you are. You may as well finish what you began.’

For the next half-hour, May drew with total concentration and when they bell sounded Mrs Kelly took the paper and carefully folded it. ‘May I keep this?’

May swallowed. No one had ever asked her permission for anything before. ‘Yes, ma’am. ’Course you can.’

On her next visit to the nursery, Smithy was looking more irritable than ever.

‘Is something wrong?’ May asked.

‘That wretched child you call Angel. She’s been keeping us all awake every night. Every hour or two she wakes up and cries, and that sets the others off. I’m worn out with it. If it goes on I’m going to shut her in the bathhouse at night. She can scream her heart out there without disturbing anyone else.’

May felt tears sting the backs of her eyes. The thought of the little girl she had grown to love so much howling and alone was unbearable.

‘Why not let me take her?’ She spoke impulsively. ‘She can sleep with me in the girls’ dormitory.’

‘And keep all of you awake instead? Nurse Baker would thank me for that – I don’t think.’

Nurse Baker was one of the women in charge of the dormitory. They were given the title of ‘nurse’, though none of them had ever studied medicine.

‘She might not cry if she was with me,’ May said desperately. ‘She’s always good with me.’

‘Because you spoil her, cuddling her and singing to her. She’s a right little madam and you let her rule you. It’ll do her no good in the long run, mark my words.’

May tried a new tack. ‘You look ever so tired, Smithy. You need a good night’s sleep. Why not let me take her for one night and see how it goes.’

Smithy looked from her to the child in her arms, frowning in indecision. Then she said, ‘Well, Baker owes me a good turn. It’s against the rules, but she’ll turn a blind eye if I ask her. Take her for one night, but if she causes mayhem – and she will – it’s the bathhouse for her and no mistake.’