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mats provided by the Salvation Army. After a meal of hot soup, bread and cheese, they had all been provided with a blanket and pillow. The chapel hall used for the emergency was crowded with victims of the storm. A dozen red-ribboned bonnets bobbed here and there, tending to the needy. The pungent aroma of soup from the kitchens mingled with the humid smell of wet bodies and clothes as they dried out in the crowded hall.
    â€˜Well, it could be worse,’ said Peg, draining the last dregs of tea from her mug. ‘We’ve filled our stomachs and got a dry roof over our heads.’
    Eve was sitting with a blanket around her shoulders on the hard bench next to Peg. Their wet clothes had dried on them, and she was trying hard not to worry about the cottage. How bad was the damage? Would they ever be able to live there again? Certainly it would be contaminated. All Peg’s furniture must be soaked through, the couch and chairs especially. Had the mattress on the sideboard fared better?
    But for all their problems they were luckier than some.
    â€˜Poor buggers,’ said Peg, shaking her head. ‘Wonder if the rest of the country suffered too?’
    Eve shuddered. ‘We’ll know soon enough. Look, the captain is going to speak to us.’
    A large, portly man in uniform cleared his throat, waving a sheaf of papers in front of him. ‘I’m sure you are all curious to know what’s happened to the city. Well, I can tell you. Everywhere has suffered. Even the Tate Gallery was flooded and some of the valuable exhibits were lost.’
    Eve glanced round. There was surprise on people’s faces, but not alarm. The Tate could be a million miles away from their world of poverty and deprivation. The exhibits were only relics of history, not real life. They wanted to know about their homes.
    â€˜And worst of all,’ continued the captain, ‘lives have been lost.’
    A loud ‘Oh!’ went up, a distinct reaction and the captain nodded gravely.
    â€˜Very sad indeed. We are given to understand that the worst affected areas are as follows: Millbank has suffered greatly, with many of its old buildings and warehouses swept away. There is flooding at Charing Cross and Waterloo Bridge and roads all over the city have been lost to several inches of water. Tramcars have been abandoned and the public subway at Westminster Bridge is flooded to a depth of four feet. Now, about the island . . .’
    There was absolute silence. Everyone was holding their breath as they waited for news of their own homes.
    â€˜Unfortunately we haven’t any detailed information.’
    A collective groan filled the room.
    The captain raised his hand. ‘Be patient, as now the rain has eased, we hope that the water will recede. For tonight, try to sleep well and with luck you will all be home tomorrow.’
    Before anyone could stop him to ask questions, he made a swift exit.
    â€˜He don’t want to tell us the worst,’ said Peg. ‘Maybe tomorrow we’ll find out from his ’oppos.’
    Eve nodded thoughtfully. She was longing for a good wash. Her hair, hanging in tangled tails, needed a brush, but she didn’t have one. No one had anything. Like her and Peg, they had left most of it behind. Everyone was down to the bare minimum.
    â€˜I’m all done in, gel. Don’t fancy kipping on themrush mats, but it’s better than nothing. Reckon I’d kip on a bed of nails tonight.’
    Eve suppressed a yawn. ‘Do you think Jimmy is all right? He disappeared after rowing the boys to safety.’
    â€˜You can understand why. He probably spotted them grasshoppers.’
    â€˜Hope he’s not up to mischief.’
    â€˜No more than anyone else in this day and age,’ replied Peg. ‘And a blue uniform is enough to send chills down anyone’s spine.’
    â€˜At least they rescued us.’
    â€˜Took their time, though.’
    Eve knew that Peg