La vida

Eleanor stepped back into the presidential suite with her heart clenched tight. Everything felt familiar

Emily stepped back into the presidential suite with her heart clenched tight. Everything felt familiar

Sophia stepped once more into the presidential suite with a heart heavy with dread. Everything felt familiar

Emily and her mother-in-law, Margaret, sat huddled together on an old bed, bundled up in thick jumpers.

Everyone fell silent when, among the guests, twelve tall men appeared, dressed in full naval ceremonial

Everyone fell silent when, among the guests, twelve tall men appeared in full naval ceremonial uniform

The room fell silent as twelve tall men in naval dress uniforms stepped forward, their movements perfectly

**Diary Entry 17th May** Emily and her best mate, Lucy, had just finished their classes. Not quite ready

Long ago, on a chilly autumn evening in the quiet village of Bramley, a young woman named Eleanor Whitcombe