‘Go inside and lock the door,’ Father said. ‘I’ll be in shortly.’ He turned to address our assailants.

‘Jacob Boniface, is that you? Was it not only two months ago I saved your daughter’s life and gave you a fine healthy grandson? Is this the way you repay me? Be aware that one day you will need me again, and when that happens, I’ll remember this night!’ There was a quieting of the throng. ‘What on earth makes any of you think my daughter had anything to do with the Britannic sinking?’

‘We’ve seen tonight’s broadsheet, so we know, Doctor. The newspapers don’t lie, do they?’

Chapter 43

CHAPTER 43

SHELLY

Greece, present day.

AN ALARM SOUNDED AND A red light flashed over the monitors. Shelly jumped. ‘What’s happening?’

‘A problem in the bell, please step away,’ Carlos said, his voice tense.

‘I’m a paramedic, if you need any help,’ Shelly said, stepping back. Harry moved in next to Carlos.

‘What’s going on?’ he asked.

‘One of the divers, Matt, he’s lost consciousness.’ He turned back to the screens and adjusted the mic on his headset. ‘Guys, go straight into the Unconscious Diver Drill. I’ll talk you through. First, get any unnecessary gear off him. Making sure his upper body is in the airspace, then secure him to the side of the bell with the ratchet strap. OK? Confirm his airway’s clear . . .’

A bone-chilling scream came from the back of the boat.

‘I’ll check it,’ Shelly said, swiftly leaving the control cockpit. The moment she stepped onto the deck, the sight of Elias covered in blood made her heart thud. ‘I need help! Now!’ she yelled over the sound of screeching machinery.

Harry was beside her before she had reached his son.

‘The back of his sweatshirt’s caught in the recovery platform’s line cogs. It’s pulling him in. Turn it off!’ she yelled, horrified that it was about to cut him in half.

Elias, weakened by loss of blood, gave up pulling away from the turning mechanism. Shelly grabbed the knotted sleeves at his waist and pulled with all her strength. In a matter of seconds, the winching gear stopped and both Elias and Shelly fell into a blood-spattered heap on the deck. Elias was unconscious, blood pumping from his side. Shelly tore off her shirt, rolled it, and thrust it at Harry. ‘Press this against the wound with all your strength.’ Two of the crew had appeared. ‘You!’ she said, pointing at one guy. ‘Get the first aid kit.’ She pulled her phone out and pressed rapid dial.

‘Hello, this is paramedic Shelly Summer. We need an emergency helicopter ambulance for a patient who’s bleeding out on a dive vessel.’ She turned to Harry. ‘Blood group and age?’

‘O positive, twenty-one.’