‘Stop complaining, Hofmann. We have our orders.’

‘I know, Kapitänleutnant, but this is a waste of our time. How long do these people last in England before they’re caught? One day… two? That’s assuming he even makes it ashore.’

When he finally reached the top of the conning tower, he was surprised how near to the coast the U-boat had surfaced. Dawn was still a good hour away and there wasn’t much moonlight, but nor was it cloudy, so he had a reasonable view of the land, his first ever sight of England: the blurred silhouette of a cluster of buildings behind what looked like sand dunes and the very faint outline of what he took to be a church spire beyond them. He was relieved he wouldn’t have to paddle the dinghy as far as he’d feared, but he was concerned the U-boat could have been spotted from this distance and they’d be waiting for him.

He was helped – more like pushed and hauled – out of the conning tower and onto the deck. The dinghy had already been launched and was held tight by a rope, his rucksack and suitcase strapped to the little wooden bench. Hofmann took him by the elbow, his tone now less hostile. Perhaps he was relieved the mission he so clearly resented was over. Or maybe he was just feeling sorry for him. How long do these people last in England… one day… two?

‘You’ll climb down this rope ladder and start paddling straight away. We can only stay on the surface for another minute or two, and you want to be well away from us when we submerge.’

He nodded, well aware of his instructions.

‘And remember, there’s a strong north-to-south current here. Concentrate on rowing hard to the shore, and let the current take you south. That’s the village called Saltfleet over there: you remember it from your map?’

He nodded again. He was beginning to feel quite sick, between the nerves and the swell.

‘You’ll need to get a move on. With some luck you should land where you’re meant to, just north of Mablethorpe, seven miles due south of here. The cutters for the barbed wire are in the box at the front of the dinghy. Remember, as soon as you land, release the air valves on the dinghy and push it out to sea. It should go out with the tide and sink. Good luck.’

Hofmann hurriedly shook his hand and guided him to the rope ladder. He hesitated, but he wasn’t sure why. In his training they impressed on him how important it was to get away from the U-boat quickly. You don’t want to be dragged down by it, do you?