Mr Edwards grabbed hold of Alexander and led him back to the room they had entered when they first arrived. Alice trailed along behind. This time however it wasn't the Lady of the house who awaited them, it was the Lord. 

"Mrs Blanche has explained everything," he said to Mr Edwards, before looking to Alexander "why did you not tell us the truth behind your reasons for coming here? You merely came here to gloat about murdering our son."

"NO," Alexander shouted "I DIDN'T. I wanted to see my sister. I didn't know you were his parents until we got here."

"Then why did you not tell us then?"

"I didn't know how. I hate myself enough for what I did to your son. It's already ruined my life enough without having anyone else tell me what a horrible person I am."

The whole room went quiet. They were interrupted when Mrs Blanche came into the room. "Apparently the police won't be coming, my Lord. They say if we want to know why, we should listen to the broadcast on the radio."

The Lord walked over to the desk and twisted one of the dials on the radio. A loud voice boomed out. The Lord turned down the volume and they all listened.

"...reports have just come in that Germany has signed a Treaty with France and Britain to end the war. The war is officially over. Victory is ours. The day has been won."

The Lord turned off the radio. Mr Edwards let go of Alexander's arm. Alexander rubbed it, Mr Edwards had been gripping him rather hard.

"Well," the Lord said "the day has been won."

"Apparently they're not arresting any deserters now my Lord" Mrs Blanche replied.

"Well we certainly cannot allow him to continue working here," the Lord said. He turned to Alexander "where is it you are from?"

"Coventry" Alexander replied.

"You may return there if you wish. I shall pay the fare for you."

"But what about my sister. She won't want to stay here without me."

"If she wishes to leave I have no problems with her doing so. But, she is your responsibility from then onwards. Is that understood?"

"Loud and clear my Lord."

"Very well. You may leave in 2 days. Alice will you be leaving us too?"

"Yes," Alice replied "I would like to go too."

"As you wish."

When Alexander and Alice told Emily the news she was thrilled. They couldn't help but smile at the look on her face. She was crying with tears of joy.

They were interrupted by Mr Edwards entering Emily's room. "I believe you may want to read this." He handed a letter to Alexander. It read:

Dear Miss Emily Stuart C/O Lord and Lady Blackwood,

We are writing to inform you that we were mistaken as to the whereabouts of one of your parents.

It appears that Mr Alfred Stuart was not killed in the bombing which destroyed your home. He has been found, safe and well and wishes for you to return to him when it is safe to do so.

He may be found at the following address:

44 Whitechapel Road, London

Or Via the following telephone number: 191709

We wish you the best of luck in finding him. 

Yours sincerely,

Mr Rutherford Langley, Head of Evacuation Procedures

Alexander couldn't believe it. Their dad was alive. He was safe. Now all they had to do was get back to him.

This wasn't the end of Mr Edwards news however as he explained. "There is also this article in the morning newspaper which I believe may be of interest to you Miss Brooks."

He handed Alice the newspaper. She looked at the headline on the front page.

Germans strike down large London manor house.

Alice scanned the page and sure enough. Thornby manor had been hit. The article promised that Mrs Evans was safe but there was one line which made Alice burst into tears. The final line of the article read:

Mrs Cynthia Evans was rescued from the wreckage by Mr George Thomas, however Lord Thornby could not be saved. Mr Thomas later died from smoke ingestion.

George had given up his life to save Mrs Evans. Alice couldn't hold herself anymore. George and her were like children to Mrs Evans. She would be devastated. Alice needed to find her, and be there for her. Alice hadn't loved George the way she loved Alexander, but she still cared about him as a friend.

Mr Edwards took the chance to leave with Emily. Alexander read the article and hugged Alice hard. "Shh..," he whispered "it's ok. You're alright."

"He's gone Alex. The last thing I ever said to him was that I didn't feel the same way about him. I should have lied. I should have given him a chance."

"That wouldn't have changed anything, Alice. Why do you think George saved Mrs Evans?"

"Because he cared about her?"

"Perhaps, or maybe it was because YOU cared about her. Maybe he saved her for you. To make you happy. I'll bet that was all he wanted. He'll be watching you from heaven now and I know he'd want you to be happy."

"You really think so?" Alice asked.

"I know he would. Because that's what I would want for you if it was me. If you really love someone, you'll do whatever it takes to make them happy, even if you have to give up something of your own first."

"I love you Alex."

"I love you too."

"And you'll never stop loving me."

"Till death do us part."

"What does that mean?"

"I'll love you until the day I die. And when we get to heaven, I'll keep loving you there too."

The Lord made the decision not to tell his wife what Alexander had done. He said that Alexander was simply unlucky to be the one to have done it. Alexander promised he would make it up to them one day. He would make sure of it.

Two days later Alexander, Alice and Emily were about to leave. Mr Edwards thrust something into Alice's hand. "You may want that" he said.

"Thank you" Alice replied.

They all said their goodbyes and the trio headed off back to the station. It felt strange to Alexander, walking around and not being afraid of being arrested. He still had nightmares about Hans but slowly they were improving. He thought having someone else to think about instead may be helping him a little.

As the three of them boarded the train, Alice took his hand and smiled at him. Alexander knew that he would do anything to see that smile every day for the rest of his life. And he hoped that his plan to get to see that smile every day would work out the way he hoped.