MOTHER WAS NOT FEELING VERY well the next day, but as we had already invited several people for afternoon tea, and Father had adjusted his busy schedule, he decided we should go ahead. He persuaded Mrs Cooper to abandon her chores and, along with her two daughters, serve afternoon tea, sandwiches and cakes to our guests. He had also invited Mr Hammersmith, the dentist, for reasons I didn’t understand.

Everyone arrived within minutes of each other at three o’clock and I greeted them in the front garden. When my eyes fell upon Corporal Perkins’s handsome face I almost forgot to breathe. I had forgotten how charismatic he was. Now, to see him in a smart suit, he appeared to be a gentleman of some standing and his slight limp only added to his allure.

‘Thank you for coming,’ I whispered, remembering I had kissed him. ‘We welcome your presence at the house for refreshment.’ Despite my self-consciousness, I relaxed in the knowledge that I could draw from his affection, so long as he did not remember what happened on that terrible day. Had my selfishness no bounds? My insides were in knots, and my mind desperate for something, someone, to cling to.

‘I thank you for inviting me,’ he said, lifting my hand to kiss the back. He went on to speak to Father, and although I spoke with Matron and Nurse Josephine, I was conscious of the Corporal’s every move, as I suspected, he was of mine.

Matron was very astute. ‘Decorum, Miss Smith.’

I pushed my shoulders back and stood taller. ‘Yes, Matron. Sorry, Matron, I lost control for a moment.’

‘Forgivable under the circumstances,’ she said kindly. ‘Corporal Perkins is an exceedingly handsome young man. I’m sorry to hear your mother is not well enough to join us.’

Corporal Perkins was never far from my side. I was distressed by the reporter drifting from one to the other, asking questions, being polite, and I guessed hoping to catch somebody off guard. He came to my side, and so did Perkins when he caught my worried glance.

‘Do you know that to go against military orders, as the person who opened the portholes did, is regarded as mutiny . . . a hanging offence, Gertie?’ Perkins said.

I clutched my neck. ‘No, don’t say such a thing, Corporal! I’m upset enough thinking about that terrible day.’

‘Somebody has to pay, that ship cost over two million pounds,’ the reporter stated. ‘Please excuse me, I must speak with the Matron.’

In one swift movement, Perkins sat beside me on the sofa and peered into my eyes. ‘Darling Gertie, how would you feel if I asked your father’s permission to walk you out?’ he said quickly, grabbing the moment.

‘What do you mean? You’re not making sense.’