Lost Angel [antikvár]

1 Battersea, South London, September 1940 Nine-year-old Ellen Stone woke to the incessant wail of the air raid siren. Neighbourhood dogs were already howling and Ellen's stomach churned with fear as she flung back the blankets. 'Come on, get a move on,' her mother, Hilda, shouted, 'and don't forget your gas mask.' Ellen's thin legs wobbled as she reached out in total darkness to fumble for the light switch. With the blackout in force, and the windows covered to prevent even a chink of light escaping, her bedroom looked gloomy in the dim glow of a bare lightbulb. Ellen pushed her shoulder-length dark hair aside as she thrust bare feet into her shoes, and then, grabbing the hated gas mask, she ran downstairs. 'Hurry up,' her mum urged. They stumbled down the garden to the Anderson shelter, but could already hear the heavy, uneven throb of bombers flying across London.