An Orphan’s Wish: The new, most heartwarming of christmas novels you will read in 2018

‘Stand back, Miss.’

‘Is anyone still in the building?’

‘We don’t know. One of our chaps has gone in. The matron’s trying to get all the names.’

He jerked his head over his right shoulder and she saw a tallish woman with a large group of children around her.

Lana sped over in the direction the fireman pointed.

‘Mrs Taylor … Matron,’ she called in the distance between them.

The woman glanced in her direction.

‘I’m Lana Ashwin from the school,’ Lana breathed harshly as she rushed up. The matron nodded as though in a trance. ‘Can I do anything? Is everyone safe?’

Maxine Taylor’s voice was shaking as she answered. ‘All the boys are out,’ she said, ‘and the girls … except one – Priscilla Morgan. No one’s seen her.’

Oh, no. Not Priscilla. Lana’s heart clenched in fear.

‘The firemen barred my way,’ Maxine said thickly. ‘They refused to let me go in.’ She seemed to gather her wits as she shouted to someone. ‘Charlie! Please help with these children. I must make sure everyone’s out.’

Maxine rushed off, Lana running behind. Moments later she saw the matron trip on a fallen branch. A moan of pain sliced through the air. Lana flew over the grass.

‘My ankle.’ Maxine screwed up her eyes in pain. ‘It’s not broken but it hurts like mad. Just a bad twist.’

‘Let me see.’ Another figure ran to the matron’s side.

‘Oh, Dolores, thank goodness it’s you. I’ve gone and sprained my ankle.’

‘See if you can get up,’ Dolores said. ‘Here, give me your hand.’

‘Priscilla—’ Maxine began.

‘Don’t worry, I’ll find her,’ Lana said, touching Maxine briefly on the shoulder before dashing over to the home.

‘You’re not allowed to go in there, Miss,’ one of the fireman shouted. ‘It’s not safe. You’re not properly equipped …’

Without answering, Lana heaved the front door open and shot inside, her only thought for the young girl. The heat made her reel back, choking. Pulling her scarf over her nose, which immediately made her feel she was suffocating, she pushed further inside and shouted up the stairs. Flames were already crackling from the first-floor landing.

‘Is anyone there?’ A silence. ‘Priscilla! Are you there?’ She waited seconds, then bellowed, ‘PRISCILLA!’