‘What? What about?’

‘Were you on the Britannic, miss?’

Clattering from the fist-shaped brass knocker had woken Father. He appeared in his smoking jacket over his striped pyjamas. ‘What’s happening, Gertie?’

‘There’s a newspaper reporter outside, Father. He wants to come in and ask a few questions.’

Father opened the letterbox and called, ‘We have nothing to say. Remove yourselves before I summon the constable.’

Mrs Cooper came in the back door. ‘Here, there’s a crowd outside again, Doctor. What’s going on?’ She placed the newspapers on the table.

Father groaned as he scanned the headlines. ‘This is what’s wrong!’ He waved the paper, then dropped it onto the table and picked up a second tabloid. ‘More headlines, and even more condemning than yesterday’s. DOVER GIRL RESPONSIBLE FOR SINKING THE BRITANNIC?’ He stared at me for a moment, then went on to the next one. ‘NURSE CAUSES DEATH OF THIRTY MILITARY PERSONNEL, AND MAIMS FORTY MORE.’ He glared at me again. ‘What on earth did you tell them in that tribunal, Gertie?’

‘Father, I told them I couldn’t remember what happened before I was rescued from the sea. I said it was all a blank.’

He stared at the broadsheets again. ‘Well, you might as well know, both Matron Merriberry and I have guessed what happened, but it is better if those words are never said aloud. You don’t remember anything at all, you understand? Nothing will be changed by encouraging more problems.’

I turned my eyes away. ‘Yes, Father.’

‘Your mother has taken a turn for the worse and all this excitement is doing her no good at all.’

There was another knock on the door.

‘Hello! London Tribune here. Dr Smith? Could we have a word with your daughter?’

Although Father directed his words at me, clearly, he was rationalising with himself. ‘The best way to put an end to this speculation and harassment would be to make a statement to the press.’

He turned back to the door, placed his foot six inches from the jamb, and opened it. There was a crowd, jostling, voices all at once. ‘Dr Smith!’ ‘A word, please, sir?’ ‘Is your daughter here?’

‘Gentlemen, please step back and I will come out to talk to you.’

Then I saw my father do something I’d never seen before; one of the most important lessons he ever gave me. He paused before acting. I saw his chest expand and shoulders rise as he took in a long, deep breath. After a moment, he closed his eyes and let it out slowly. Then he stepped around the door and closed it behind himself.

I hurried forward and pressed my ear against the centre panel. Father’s voice came through clearly.

‘Each of you may ask one question. If anyone harasses me, you will all have to leave. Yes, you at the back with the trilby, what would you like to ask?’