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Julia burst into her parents’ bedroom.

‘Mum, Dad, something’s happened to James!’

Agnes Greenwood sat up and switched on the bedside light whilst husband Victor mumbled and turned over.

‘Julia, it’s three o’clock in the morning! What do you mean?’

‘Mum, we heard the planes going over about eleven o’clock. It’s one of those thousand bomber raids. I think James has been shot down!’

Agnes took her daughter’s hand. ‘Julia, I know you and James have the ‘twin communication’ thing, but do you really think it works between here and Germany? Aren’t you just worrying too much?’

‘Mum, I was sound asleep. It was so strong I nearly fell out of bed. Anyway, I don’t think it was Germany. I don’t know why. It just felt closer.’

Julia spent the rest of that day in her room, declining all refreshment and food, her head in her hands, trying to concentrate all her thoughts on her twin brother. The next night was sleepless.

At breakfast the following morning, Julia poked her toast around on its plate, when suddenly she stood up and cried out.

Victor dropped his spoonful of porridge. Agnes ran in from the kitchen, alarm written into her face.

‘He’s safe,’ cried Julia, tears springing in her eyes, ‘and he’s in good hands, don’t worry.’

—–

The family waited. They received the official notification that Flight Lieutenant James Greenwood was ‘missing in action’. Julia continued to reassure her parents that her brother was safe.

‘Yes,’ Victor always said. ‘No news is good news.’

In early 1945 the family received a letter from James with the brief message, ‘I’m fine. I’ll be home soon, and I have a nice surprise for you all.’

Julia smiled. ‘I think it will be a very pleasant surprise.’

Two weeks later, James arrived home with a very pretty blonde girl on his arm.

‘This is Babette from Holland. Her heroic family protected me when I parachuted into their village. Because of their courage she has special permission to be here…’

Julia hugged the pair, crying, ‘Are you getting married?’

James laughed, ‘Ah, you knew!’