The Secret Book of Flora Lea

by Patti Callahan Henry

Hazel told Dot the story of the Peggy Andrews book and the Pauline Baynes illustrations. Dot listened without uttering a word, sipping her wine and ordering more. “That’s a hell of a barmy story,” Dot said with a shaky laugh, lifting her glass of wine for another sip. “You know, my aunt warned me to stay away from these stories of the lost children.” “Your aunt?” “Yes, my aunt Imogene.” Hazel gasped and sat back in her chair. “Dear God, your aunt is Imogene? The nurse?” Dot narrowed her eyes. “How did you know that?” “She is the one who took you. God Almighty, it was Imogene all along.” “I don’t understand.” “She was a nurse in Binsey when we lived here. She babysat you. She watched you, and it appears she took you.”