The waiting was the worst part; the waiting and the uncertainty. Knowing that the night would come but with no hint as to when. Days had become weeks. She knew how this worked, how this had to work, because it was the only way; the only way to keep her safe and she had promised her father that she would do this. He had already lost so much and, whether he showed it or not, he loved his remaining daughter desperately and his desire to protect her was unrivalled.

But, as unbearable as the waiting was, the uncertainty of what lay ahead was perhaps even more terrifying. The first week or so, Patsy had been unable to sleep - the strange surroundings, the unfamiliar noises and her racing mind all seeming to conspire against her, preventing her escaping into the slumber that her body craved. By now, however, exhaustion overwhelmed her and she slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Patsy gasped in fear, sitting up, momentarily disorientated and confused by the hand urgently shaking her shoulder. As she reached to switch on the bedside lamp, shadows fell eerily across the room. She looked up and received a silent nod. She didn't need to ask; it was transfer night.

Patsy knew that she had to be quick and, more importantly, she knew that she had to be quiet. She pulled on her clothes, stuffing her pyjamas into the rucksack that lay beside her bed in readiness for the move and, without so much as a glance back at the room, she exited. Standing at the top of the stairs, she took a deep breath and braced herself, determined to cling to her self control, despite the gnawing, fear-induced nausea which was increasing by the minute. She shuddered and pulled her jacket around her; it was a mild night but she needed the comfort.

Not a single word was exchanged as Patsy padded quietly down the stairs and climbed into the back of the waiting vehicle. The moment the door was closed, the car pulled away. Patsy looked around her; no rear windows and a fixed partition between her and the driver. Lovely! She had been pre-warned about this but resented it nonetheless. She glanced down and noted a cool box, wedged in the footwell. Lifting the lid she discovered bottles of water and pop, crisps, fruit and chocolate. She sighed; it was a nice thought but, right now, she couldn't stomach anything.

The journey seemed interminable; at first Patsy had desperately tried to work out the route that they were taking. She quickly realised that this was a futile exercise and, in spite of her unease, she found herself beginning to doze, unable to fight the soporific hum of the engine.

Patsy only awoke when she sensed the vehicle slow. Glancing at her watch, she saw that it was approaching 5am. That meant that she had been travelling for almost 3 hours. She heard the clunk of a gate following which the car picked up speed again; she was sure that they had reached their destination and clutched her rucksack against her.

Finally the car stopped. Patsy's heart was pounding and she fought desperately to control the panic which was surging through her. The car door opened and she gingerly prised herself from the back seat, grateful at least to be able to stretch her legs. Fingers of early morning sunlight delicately stroked the surrounding trees and bushes. Patsy inhaled deeply and noted the distinctive smell of the sea; her very first clue as to this unfamiliar place which she would, for the coming weeks and months at least, call home. She glanced up at the house, a pretty period building with ivy snaking up the white-washed walls. It was not what she had expected, but then she hadn't known what to expect, she reasoned.

Her wonderings were interrupted when she became aware of a woman standing not far from her, speaking quietly to the driver. Patsy turned as the vehicle pulled away, disappearing down a tree-lined driveway. Alone with the woman, Patsy forced a smile and scrambled to make polite conversation.

"The house is beautiful" she stammered hoarsely, silently berating herself for not having taken a bottle of the water after all.

"Thank you" smiled the woman "I am Louise, you really are very welcome. I know that you have had a frightfully long journey and you must be exhausted. Let's go inside and have a cup of tea."

Naturally distrusting, Patsy was surprised at how easily she warmed to Louise. Fair-haired, of slight build and, Patsy estimated, probably in her 50s, she had a face so kind that it was surpassed only by her incredibly soothing voice. Patsy followed her inside and Louise led the way to her office. It wasn't a terribly big room but it did have the most beautiful bay window offering a view of endless colourful flowers and neatly trimmed bushes.

"Do sit down" encouraged Louise, gesturing to a thoroughly welcoming arm chair. Patsy sank gratefully against the soft cushions as Louise poured the tea. "Sugar?"

Patsy shook her head. "No, thank you".

Louise smiled kindly as she handed her the cup, the younger woman's trembling hands did not escape her notice, nor the haunted look in her eyes. This was something that Louise was well accustomed to seeing in the faces of new arrivals although, Louise observed, this young woman was doing her utmost to try and put on a brave face. It was always so much easier when these women allowed their raw emotions to flow, however, Patsy was clearly not one to wear her heart on her sleeve, and Louise sensed that she would need to be extremely patient if she were try to earn her trust.

"I am not going to give you too much information now" explained Louise."There will be plenty of time for that once you have had an opportunity to sleep." Patsy nodded gratefully. Sipping at her tea, she was feeling the full impact of her nighttime adventure and the desire to curl up in a ball and shut out the world was almost overwhelming. Instead, her impeccable manners prevailed and she smiled politely.

Louise glanced at her watch. It was just past 5:30am.

"The girls will not be up for a couple of hours yet".

Patsy raised her eyebrows. "How many others were there?" she wondered.

"There are three girls here at the moment" Louise explained, as if reading her mind. "You will be sharing a room with Delia; she is a very sweet girl and I am sure that you will get on well." At that precise moment, Patsy couldn't have cared less who she was sharing with - as long as the room had a pillow and a duvet, it would suit her fine. She nodded politely.

Louise stood "Let me show you to your room".

Patsy followed Louise up the stairs. The elder woman paused momentarily on the first floor landing,

"Living room and kitchen on this level" she explained quietly before continuing. Reaching the top of the house, Louise lowered her voice to a whisper. "This one is your room. Your bags arrived a couple of days ago so they we put them in there ready for you. I won't come in as Delia will be sleeping. I'll see you at 11."

Patsy nodded and managed a strangled "thank you" before opening the door and gratefully slipping inside.

Sunshine was seeping through the gap in the curtains. Patsy glanced at the sleeping figure, her dark hair splayed across the pillow, her face partly obscured by her left arm which was resting alongside her cheek. Patsy looked around the room. The walls were a cream colour, contrasting with the wooden beams which stretched from one end of the room to the other. A small couch was positioned just beneath the window and there was a vase of fresh flowers on the dressing table. It was certainly more homely than the room she had vacated a few hours earlier; smelt better too.

Patsy quietly opened her overnight bag and located her pyjamas. Within five minutes she had changed and was sliding gratefully into bed. The linen was soft and fragrant and she sighed as she stole one more quick glance at her sleeping room mate and closed her eyes.