Liardet, Frances  
  
  
    In the disorderly evacuation of Southampton
 England
 newly married Ellen Parr finds a small child asleep on the backseat of an empty bus. No one knows who little Pamela is. Ellen professed not to want children with her older husband
 and when she takes Pamela into her home and rapidly into her heart
 she discovers that this is true: Ellen doesn't want children. She wants only Pamela. Three golden years pass as the Second World War rages on. Then one day Pamela is taken away
 screaming. Ellen is no stranger to sorrow
 but when she returns to the quiet village life she's long lived
 she finds herself asking: In a world changed by war
 is it fair to wish for an unchanged heart?