‘No, it’s because you’re coming down with the influenza. It’s important you keep your strength up, Gertie, so do try to eat something. Come and sit with me for a while.’ She placed the tray on the teacher’s desk, alongside hers. ‘Egg lemon soup and fresh bread. A most delicious meal.’ She glanced at Perkins. ‘I’ll let him sleep while we eat.’ Her spoon was halfway to her mouth when she became aware of her mask. She hesitated.

‘Look, it’s foolish to put yourself at risk. I’ll go and eat at my bedside,’ I told her, and stood up.

The soup had no taste, and I had no appetite. Just getting out of bed had made me feel weak and shivery. I was coming down with the dreaded influenza. Reminding myself this illness had killed my sister, I ate most of my meal, then returned to my cot. When Nurse Josephine came to collect the tray, I asked for an extra blanket.

She accommodated me, then turned her attention to Perkins who, by this time, was awake.

‘I’m just going to prop you up with some extra pillows, Corporal,’ she said. ‘You’ve been on your back long enough, and we don’t want bed sores, do we? Then I’ll feed you.’

‘I can feed myself, nurse. I’ve lost my foot, it’s not that big a deal.’

Josephine took pillows from the empty beds and brought them over. ‘Right, put your arms around my neck and I’ll pull you up.’ She heaved and he came halfway up into a sitting position, then Perkins let out the most bone-chilling screech.

‘Where’s my leg?!’

Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

SHELLY

Greek island of Kea, present day.

HARRY TAPPED HIS WATCH AGAIN and signalled they only had another two minutes on the wreck. Now running out of air, they had to start their long ascent. Around the other side of the fishnet, they saw the problem. A turtle weighing more than two hundred pounds struggled in the net, caught by its back flipper. Harry moved forward to deal with it, but Shelly nudged him aside and withdrew her dive knife.

The net had cut deep into the flesh. Shelly didn’t know how long the poor turtle had been trapped. She knew it needed to surface and breathe at least every four hours. Maybe it was heading towards land to lay its eggs. She pulled off her dive gloves, knowing the operation needed a delicate touch and, even with her veterinary skills, the operation would take some time.

Harry shook Shelly’s shoulder, tapped his watch, and made the sign to ascend. Shelly shook her head. She could not leave the turtle to die. She pointed to Harry’s dive knife, then tugged at the net above the turtle. He got the message and started cutting through the strands of nylon.