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clearly wasn’t finished. His whole body seemed to vibrate with tension. “Who’d run the factory and work the farms, if we all upped and went to France?”
    â€œStop it, Dad. You’re making a spectacle of yourself.” Ellie hadn’t noticed Jack’s older brother, Will, until he appeared from the other side of the bar, where he’d been sitting with some other young men.
    â€œAgain,” added Jack.
    â€œNot to worry, lads, not to worry,” Ellie’s father said, his tone even. “I’d best be off home for tea, anyway. I’m sorry to have given offence, Joe.”
    Mr Scott grunted. He settled back on his bar stool as Dr Phillips rejoined Ellie and Jack outside.
    They all looked at each other in silence for a moment. Before the silence could be broken, they were joined by Will.
    â€œDr Phillips, do you have a moment?” Will’s freckled cheeks were still hot with embarrassment. “Oh, hello, Jack. Hello, Ellie.”
    â€œDon’t you think you’d better get Dad home before he shames us all more?” said Jack, staring pointedly at his brother.
    Will barely gave him a glance. “Can’t you do it? I want to talk to Dr Phillips.”
    â€œYour father will be fine, boys. John will send him on his way soon. Now, what did you want to talk to me about, Will?”
    â€œIt’s about the army, sir.”
    â€œWhat about it? And please don’t call me sir.”
    The thought of referring to Ellie’s father as anything other than sir seemed to momentarily flummox Will. It was a few seconds before he recovered himself sufficiently to continue.
    â€œEr . . . yes, sir. Well, I mean. . .” He took a breath. “I’m going to join up. At least, I want to. At least, I think I do.”
    â€œFor pity’s sake,” Jack growled, before Ellie shushed him.
    â€œIt’s all right, Will. It’s a daunting prospect, I know.”
    â€œI’m no coward, si— doctor.”
    Jack snorted.
    â€œI want to do my bit, I really do. But . . . I know it won’t be just playing soldiers, like Jack thinks.”
    â€œI do not!” Jack exploded.
    Ellie took hold of his elbow to pull him away.
    â€œOf course not,” Dr Phillips said soothingly, somehow managing to make both brothers feel as though he were speaking to them. “No, it’s not a game. You can be sure that the Germans will be taking it very seriously and so should you. There will be danger. But don’t you face danger every day in the factory?”
    â€œI suppose so.”
    â€œAnd this is an opportunity to be part of something big, something important – to change history. And to see something more of the world. I believe it could be the making of you, Will.”
    â€œWell, I suppose you’re right.”
    â€œOf course he’s right!” Jack bellowed. “Oh, it’s just not fair! If I were your age, Will, I wouldn’t be standing around here wasting time and bothering Dr Phillips. I’d be first in line at the recruitment office!”
    Ellie couldn’t hold her thoughts in any longer. “You should think yourself lucky you’re not a girl,” she snapped. The three men looked at her in surprise. Jack was finally silent.
    How she would love to see the world, to do something important. But even if she were old enough, still there would be no chance of adventure for her. She was stuck here, no matter what.

Four
    Ellie seized Baby Charlie’s small squirming form and carried him, still struggling, into the dark interior of the church. She shivered; even on a warm day at the height of summer, it was always so cold in here.
    Charlie gave a happy squeal, as he always did when he remembered how the stone walls echoed his own voice back to him.
    â€œSssh, sshh,” Ellie urged. Already she could see her mother’s back stiffening as she walked up the aisle towards the