‘Of course, soldier. There isn’t a girl in the world who wouldn’t be swept away by a kind, handsome man such as yourself. Now get some sleep. Goodnight, Corporal Perkins,’ I murmured, and in the back of my mind, I whispered, ‘Goodnight,’ to Sissy and Arthur too.

*

I woke in bright sunlight as the clatter of the anchor chain vibrated through the ship. The vessel had ceased bucking and rolling so I guessed we had moored in the port of Mudros. Although aching from my uncomfortable cot, my spirits soared to have arrived at my destination at last. I had a good feeling about the day.

‘I’m going to get you some food, Corporal. I’ll be back soon,’ I said. Shivering, I wrapped the blanket around my shoulders and hurried to my cabin. Nurse Josephine was about to leave for breakfast. The two of us rushed to the dining room and just scraped in before it closed. The meal consisted of Huntley & Palmers hardtack biscuits with warm, diluted, condensed milk. I begged another two portions and took them to Perkins.

‘I need to wash and shave first,’ he said. ‘Can you help me, nurse?’

‘Me? I’m not sure I should. You must try and do things for yourself.’

I hooked him under the arm and over his shoulder and pulled. The gasp of his breath on my face, and a low groan as I heaved his body into an upright position, gave me a sense of power. ‘There, swing your leg to the ground and I’ll bring your crutches. Best if you manage independently as much as possible. I’ll fetch water and soap if I can find it, so you can wash.’

‘You’re an angel. You know that I’ve fallen in love with you?’ he said in a jokey, flirty way.

I smiled right into his eyes, pleased to see him free of the awful depression that could strike an amputee at any moment.

The door opened and the surgeon entered. ‘Excellent, nurse. I see you’ve used your initiative.’

I remembered the last time I used my initiative; the world’s largest liner sank and God knew how many people suffered the most horrible death because of it.

The surgeon turned to Perkins. ‘Corporal, I’ve received new orders to drop you at Malta. You’ll be picked up there by another ship and returned to Portsmouth.’

I trembled. Was this for the tribunal? Had the surgeon received orders that I was destined to go there too?

As if Perkins heard my fears, he asked, ‘Will the nurse accompany me, sir?’

‘No, you’ll be in my charge. No need for concern, young man, I’ll take good care of you, though I dare say I won’t be as pleasing on the eye. Nurse Smith has orders to report for duty at Mudros clearing station, which is where we are at this very moment.’