I get to the little empty yard behind the shop and there are the iron steps. My hand's on the cold rail. Then the bell tinkles above me and the door shuts behind a girl.
Where's Lucy?
Where's my wife?
There's a girl. She's beautiful and pale, like I dreamed she was.
Johanna. And I'd almost forgotten her name. How does a little plump baby turn into a tall skinny girl like this one? Long yellow hair where once was a soft round skull. It fans out in the breeze as she leans in the doorway and calls for her mother.
Mother! Come quick!
Then there's two tall white figures where there was one, they're like candles, the wall is cold against my face and the women, girls, candles, my wife, there's two and four and eight as they come running down the iron steps.
Then her face is there. My Lucy.
Benjamin? Benjamin? You're home.
Her soft arms go around me and she's crying and so is Johanna. Then I remember and I cry too, and I hold Lucy to me and reach out for my daughter.
Someone shakes me.
Mr Todd? Mr Todd, wake up! We're in sight of London! Mr Todd? Are you well?
Yes, Anthony. I was merely dreaming.