Gordon appointed himself personal nurse to the three of them – Kate, Danny and Squadron Leader Philip Trent. ‘Just don’t let on I’m looking after one of the boys in blue,’ he grinned, ‘or me life won’t be worth living.’ The nurses, overwhelmed by the numbers, welcomed Gordon’s help. Moving among the wounded and exhausted men, the cheerful soldier was as good as a tonic.

An hour or so later, he brought Danny into the cabin, his strong arm under the younger man’s shoulder. ‘Here you are, girl. He’s all safe and sound. And we’re nearly half-way home. Just let’s hope that Luftwaffe don’t find us!’

Danny grinned sheepishly at Kate. ‘I really ought to learn to swim, didn’t I?’

‘I’ve been telling you that for years, but do you ever take notice of me?’ She was smiling at him, so thankful that he was safe. But she knew if she were to fling her arms around him, as she felt like doing, it would only embarrass him. So her mock admonishment covered their deeper emotions.

He sat down carefully on the bed beside her.

‘Are you hurt?’ she asked anxiously.

‘No – just bruised. How about you?’

‘I’m fine. I ought to get off this bed, really. There are far worse than me . . .’

‘You lie still, girl,’ Gordon ordered, ‘You took in a lot of water. ‘Sides, you’ve earned a bed, if anyone has!’

One or two soldiers nearby, less injured than some, heard Gordon and raised a cheer of agreement. Kate felt herself blushing.

Danny grinned at her and then, sobering suddenly, looked up at Gordon. ‘Do you know what happened to me boat?’

‘Sorry, mate, blown to smithereens.’

Danny closed his eyes and groaned. Kate watched him anxiously. What would Robert Eland say when they returned home? That boat was his livelihood.

As if catching some of their anxiety, Philip Trent asked, ‘Is it a great loss to you?’

When Danny didn’t answer, Kate explained quietly, ‘It’s his dad’s. He’s a fisherman.’

Danny opened his eyes. ‘Oh, he’d have come himself, if he could have done, only he had to stay. He’s coxswain of our lifeboat . . .’

‘Oh, so this rescuing business runs in the family, does it?’ Gordon laughed and Danny and Kate smiled. The loss of the boat – even though a big loss to Danny’s father – was nothing in comparison to the many lives they had saved.

Robert Eland would understand.

Their homecoming to Fleethaven Point was greeted in differing ways.

‘Thoughtless, irresponsible, selfish . . .’ Esther Godfrey’s tirade went on. ‘Fancy just telling our Lilian you were going out in the boat with him and then disappearing for nearly a week. We thought you’d been drowned.’

Calmly, Kate said, ‘Him? His name’s Danny, Mother. And if you’d taken the trouble to ask Mrs Eland – she knew where we were. Well, sort of . . .’