When the mob had gone, I withdrew into the garden, embracing the breeze. I stood with my back pressed against the oak tree, feeling its strength, its support, and likening it to my strong-minded sister.

I stared out over the restless English Channel and remembered the sparkling, turquoise water of Kea. How I longed for my beautiful Manno again. He filled my dreams, and thoughts of our last meeting constantly interrupted my waking hours. He had asked me to be his wife, and now I feared I was carrying his child.

‘I believe as one soul leaves another arrives, Gertie. Take strength in that,’ my father had said after Sissy’s funeral. ‘For every death, there is a child born.’ He would not be so comforted if he knew that child might be growing inside his daughter’s belly.

I had not received a reply from my letters to Manno and although this still perturbed me a little, I felt confident he would write if he could. I returned to Mother’s bureau and penned another correspondence. I didn’t mention my fears in case I had misdiagnosed myself and it was simply my worrying that had upset my physiology. However, if I was wrong, having a child out of wedlock would destroy my father’s reputation. I’d have to go away before my condition became apparent. If the truth emerged about the Britannic’s portholes, I could be in prison for deliberately going against orders . . . mutiny, which held the death penalty. Perhaps I should go back to Greece, run away and never return. But Father would be devastated if he and my mother were the sole survivors of our family. If I gave him a grandson his delight would be immeasurable, a small compensation for the losses he had suffered.

Before any of that, I needed a husband, and quickly!

Father came across the lawn and sat beside me under the tree.

‘I thought you would be interested to know that your Corporal Perkins is coming for tea, tomorrow afternoon, Gertie. I have also invited Matron Merriberry, your friend the nurse, and the reporter. I hope to persuade the Corporal to speak to the press about your gallantry in the lifeboat.’

Chapter 45

CHAPTER 45

SHELLY

Dover, present day.

BACK HOME IN DOVER, LIFE settled down to a new normal. Harry phoned most days. DJ came over most weekends. Shelly spent quality time revising with DJ on the run-up to his exams. Gordon stopped trying to set Shelly up with the postman, and a huge branch broke off the oak tree and blocked most of the road.