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storm.’
    â€˜That don’t help us, much,’ said Peg crossly. ‘What are we going to do now?’
    Clara shifted uneasily. ‘We’re trying to re-house the most needy first. That is, the children and the aged—’ Clara stopped and went scarlet as she glanced at Peg.
    â€˜You’re calling me old and decrepit?’
    â€˜I didn’t mean to offend you.’
    But Peg only laughed. ‘I’m only ’avin an ’at and scarf, love.’ She looked the young girl in the eyes, ‘But I can tell you this for nothing, your superiors have dropped you in at the deep end with this lot. Bet you ain’t been round the pubs yet?’
    Clara shook her head.
    â€˜They’ll soon toughen you up. You’re good sorts, the Sally Army. But don’t you go trying not to hurt people’s feelings. Just say it like it is.’
    Clara gave a hesitant smile. ‘I’ll try to remember that.’
    â€˜And don’t go judging a book by its cover. I still got me wits about me even though me body works a bit slower these days. I may look past me prime, but me noddle is in full possession of its faculties.’
    â€˜The Army is only trying to prioritize the situation.’
    â€˜Well, you don’t have to worry about me, I ain’t claiming priority attention.’
    Clara looked hopeful. ‘In that case, I’m sure we can find the two boys a bed for the night.’
    But now it was Eve who objected. ‘We’re not splitting up, we’re a family and staying together.’ She wouldn’t be parted from her boys, no matter what.
    Clara looked confused. ‘But I’ve got no one on my list that would take all four of you.’
    â€˜Why can’t we stay here?’ demanded Peg.
    â€˜The chapel is already refuge to the homeless. We have little space now.’
    â€˜That’s what we are,’ pointed out Eve, ‘homeless.’
    â€˜Yes – temporarily, but you see, even when the water goes down—’
    â€˜It will mean a lot of clearing up, yes, we know,’ said Eve, nodding vigorously. ‘And we’re not asking for any help, just somewhere to stay until we return.’
    Clara looked at the two boys. She frowned. ‘Do you have any relatives you could call upon – temporarily?’
    â€˜No,’ said Eve. ‘None.’
    Peg grimaced, then looked at Clara. ‘Me sister lives up Blackwall in Bambury Street. Council tenement it is. I ain’t seen our Joan in years, nor her old man.’
    Eve knew that Joan Slygo and her husband were estranged from Peg. She didn’t know why, Peg never spoke of it.
    â€˜Well, perhaps this is the answer for a joyful reunion,’ said Clara, her eyes wide. ‘The Lord, you know, worksin mysterious ways. In your case, this storm and its ravages could have been sent for a purpose.’
    Peg stared in surprise at the young woman, then threw back her head and laughed riotously. ‘Well, dearie, if the Lord gets me and mine a bed to kip on under me sister’s roof tonight, I’ll bloody well go round sellin’ the
War Cry
meself.’
    Eve couldn’t hide her amusement and the boys began to giggle. She knew they didn’t understand what was going on, but even Clara began to smile.
    â€˜There’s always hope,’ she said quietly. ‘All the churches on the island are making a valiant effort to help the flood victims. Perhaps I could come with you? Sometimes the sight of our uniform and all that it stands for, helps to pave the way.’
    Peg, who had just managed to control her laughter, began to laugh once more. ‘You’re a card you are my girl! To tell you the truth, I ain’t had such a good laugh in years. And if I have another good chuckle standing outside Joan’s door, when she hears those pearls of wisdom, then it’ll be worth the fag of going over.’
    Eve saw the mischievous light in Peg’s