In Badminton’s reserved carriages of the train pulling into Paddington there was general jubilation, spirits were running high. The doors had barely opened before irrepressible girls, tossing off their school hats, ran along the platform in their navy uniforms and into the arms of their waiting parents or relatives.

I couldn’t see my father. But at the edge of the crowd there was Griff. He took off his chauffer’s cap to me. I caught our Matron’s eye to get her acknowledgement that I was released. That done, squeezing the handle of my case tight, I edged toward Griff, hoping to blend into the crowd.

He nodded towards my case. ‘I’ll take that, Miss.’ ............

read all of this instalment here