Doctor Carver was still awake, even though it was terrible late, and he told me to run on back home, to tell my Father not to worry but that he would be along shortly. He said there was nothing to worry about and that the screaming was completely normal and that it would be many hours yet before the brother or sister arrived, so there was no rush.

'But rush or not, you should be at home in bed not out on the streets. You run on home and don't stop for anyone, and I'll be along directly,' he said as he let me out.

I did as he said and ran as fast as I could.