I remember how my mother br placed her cupped hands br over the mouths br of my sister and I. br Down behind the sofa br we hid from the enemy br in the half light br of drawn curtains. br br Then that dreaded knock br at the door of our house, br set our hearts racing. br br There we sat frozen br until we heard the click br of our garden gate. br br Through a keyhole br the Rentman doffed br his trilby hat br and threw br a wry smile... br br at our 'empty' house.