Prologue

Helen heard another footstep on the stairs leading to the attic and covered her little boy's mouth with her hand. She forced a smile. ‘Remember, Bobby,' she whispered, ‘we mustn't make a sound.'

His small hand moved hers away. ‘Because the Nasties are in the house?'

Helen nodded, her heart breaking to think that hiding in an attic from the Nazi officers who were billeted next door was part of his daily life. ‘That's right.'

‘We're safe in our fort though, aren't we, Mummy?'

She raised a finger to her lips, hearing heavy soles slowly making their way to their tiny hiding place, behind the secret cupboard under the eaves.

Seeing he was about to speak, she covered his mouth again and pulled a silly face. ‘We are safe in here, but we must shush now,' she said, hearing an unmistakable creak on the floorboards directly outside their attic room, followed by a squeak as the door opened.

Desperate to clasp Bobby tightly against her, Helen resisted, aware that to do so might alert him to the seriousness of what was happening. He looked up at her, his large blue eyes so like his father's, and for the first time Helen saw fear.