Can I tell you a bit of non-fiction – something beautiful? Most flashbacks make you shake or burst into tears. This one makes me glad to be alive.

It just hit me – I’d forgotten.

OK, so the background is petrol bombs, rubber bullets, water cannon, riot police all armed: hundreds of people in conflict in Brixton.

And two children.

I was sort of busy dealing with casualties, but I saw these children.

They are what I want to talk about.

A girl, possibly about six, curled in a doorway. She was hugging an even younger boy – possibly her brother.

While the petrol bombs burst and bullets flew she held him in a tight hug, stroked his head and kissed him.

I left them; had to deal with casualties.

Nice to know there are angels about.