“Like a limp rag,” I said. “I still can’t stand up without the world spinning around.”

“Of course you can’t,” she said. “You’ve both been very ill. I have been concerned about you. And if you take my advice you will not attempt to travel anywhere today. Take a pension in Le Havre until you are both fit to resume your journey.”

“I’m being met by friends in Paris,” I said. “I’m sure they’ll take good care of me and know what is best.”

“But that child should be seen by a competent doctor as soon as possible. I didn’t like the look of the one on the ship. Never trust a man with big mustaches.”

I had to smile at this, the motion feeling strange and unpracticed after days of worry.

“I’m going to get dressed and then go up to breakfast,” she said. “I’ll have something sent down for you. What do you fancy?”

“I don’t think I could eat anything yet,” I said. “Maybe a cup of tea.”

“The French have no idea how to make proper tea,” she said. “But peppermint or chamomile might be good for you. And a boiled egg. That’s what you need. I’ll go up and order it. None of this nonsense about bread and jam for breakfast. I told them ‘We are Americans. We expect a hearty breakfast not this mamby-pamby nonsense.’”

As soon as she had left I staggered down the hall to the bathroom and attempted to wash. I had to lean against the wall to prevent myself from passing out, and only just made it back to the cabin. I washed and changed Liam and nursed him. He seemed a little more interested but horribly weak, like me. Then I took a clean dress from the closet and was going to change out of my nightclothes when I was overcome with nausea and dizziness again and had to lie down. At that moment there was a tap on the door and the steward entered with a tray containing a pot of tea, a boiled egg, and toast. The tea was weak and slightly scented, made in the French manner, but for now that suited me just fine. I sipped at it, then dipped the toast in the boiled egg. I was going to finish it when I decided to try some for Liam. He sucked away with enthusiasm at this new flavor so I gave the rest of the yolk to him, then ate a few spoonfuls of white myself. This gave me just enough energy to take my clothes from the closet ready for repacking and I was dressed with my hair up when Miss Pinkerton returned.