Erin is arrested by Israeli soldiers but freed after Paul intervenes. They stay overnight in the army camp,which is shelled by Palestinians and next day, having told Paul about the diary and how she wants to locate Mohammed's family out of respect to Len,she learns that they have moved into the war zone of Gaza. She gets Omar to drive her there,ending up in the house of the cafe bomber,to which Israeli soldiers,including Eliza,come with the intention of blowing it up.Erin,echoing her grandfather's courage,chooses to stay to comfort the little girl of the house and meets an elderly lady,Jawda,who is Mohammed's daughter. In 1947 the state of Israel is officially recognized and the British prepare to withdraw.Len is horrified to witness the massacre of an Arab village by Jews,including Clara,who nonetheless claims to still love him and does his best to take Mohammed and his children to the docks and safety as the exodus of Arabs from Tel Aviv begins. However the family members are separated and Mohammed's son Hassan killed. As he dies he gives Len a house key to give to his father but Len is arrested for deserting his post to help the Arabs and never gets to see Mohammed again. Erin now has that key and gives it to Jawda before going back to England,Paul commending her for her bravery.On her return home she tells the dying Len that she has returned the key to the family. He seems to understand.