A short while later Mrs Cavendish reappeared, a welcome bustling of maternal activity in Jane"s vision, helping to draw her thoughts from those still trapped, injured or worse among the fallen shops, offices and homes. She stirred Jane from the floor and led her to the desk of the lady she"d watched for some time as the lady helped the homeless and the frightened. Jane looked around but could see no sign of Will Batten, who"d clearly been sent somewhere else in his search for his friends.
The kind lady advised Jane on the process for obtaining new ration books; items safely guarded since they were issued at the beginning of the year but now lost forever under tons of masonry. She told Jane where she could get a few more "bits and pieces" to tide her over – additional wash things, donated
