As soon as she was released, May headed for the nursery, carrying Angel’s rag doll. It was morning, and she should have been in the classroom under the chapel, working out sums or scratching the words of a spelling test on her slate, and she knew she would be punished if Miss Bale found out, but she had to see for herself that Angel was all right. She hurried in through the door and came to a standstill, casting her eyes around the room. There were the usual babes in arms, lying in their cots; the usual toddlers staggering around the room; the usual noise of crying babies and babbling children and the usual, all-pervading smell of wet nappies. But there was no sign of Angel. She searched the room for the beloved golden head, but in vain.

Smithy came towards her. ‘What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be working here this month. Anyway, you’re too early. It’s not dinner time yet.’

‘Angel!’ May begged. ‘Where is she?’

‘Oh, her. Gone, and good riddance.’

‘What do you mean, gone? She’s not … not dead?’

‘Dead? No, whatever put that idea into your head? She’s been adopted.’

‘Adopted?’ May felt as if all the breath had been knocked out of her body. ‘How … who … when?’

‘Couple of days ago. Don’t ask me who. Man and woman came here, her all dressed up in a fur coat. Governor brought them in, said they were looking for a baby to adopt.’

‘Angel isn’t a baby.’

‘I know that! But the woman took one look at her and she said, “That’s the one! That’s the one I want,” and nothing would persuade her different. I could have told them that golden curls don’t make a child an angel, whatever you like to call her. But she’d made up her mind. She’ll soon find out her mistake. Me, I’m glad to see the back of the little madam.’

‘But I loved her, and she loved me.’ May wept. ‘How could they take her away?’

‘You should be glad, if you really care for her. I told you, there’s money there. That child will be brought up as a little princess, you mark my words.’

‘But who was it? How will I ever find her again?’

‘I told you. I don’t know the name. You won’t find her, and you shouldn’t look. Do you think she’ll want to be reminded where she came from?’