My father lay in a bleach-scented ward under clean, but thinning, sheets. After greeting him, I studied the head bandage and found the dressing nurse was competent. Quiet rage built up inside me. This was too much! Once Father was settled for the evening, I went to the police station.

‘That thug Boniface could have killed him,’ I said to Inspector Glassman. ‘Surely there’s something you can do to stop him?’

He ran his hand over his bald head, then down over his steel-grey moustache and beard. ‘Feelings are running high, miss. People are demanding a public inquiry. They’re not satisfied with the military one. They want someone to pay for their losses, and it seems they’ve decided that someone should be you.’

‘Can’t you speak to him, protect us?’

‘In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a war going on. Our best constables are away fighting the Kaiser. What am I supposed to do with half a dozen girls in police uniform?’ He raised his palms towards the ceiling.

‘We’ve had three broken windows, Inspector. My own mother was injured by flying glass. Then Mrs Cooper was victimised in a horrible way, and now my father almost killed. These people have nothing to do with His Majesty’s Hospital Ship! Boniface and his thugs are simply terrorising us because they are angry and feel useless. It’s bullying, and if you can’t put a stop to it, then I will try to end it by myself. It simply can’t go on, Inspector. Will you come with me while I go and talk to Jacob Boniface?’

Where had I found the courage to speak to a policeman in this way? Thank you, Sissy, my darling sister.

He frowned and twisted the ends of his waxed moustache. ‘I really don’t think that would be a good idea, miss. The man’s unstable.’

‘Well, I can be unstable too. I am going to talk to him whether you come with me or not.’

Glassman closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. I noticed his clenched fists.

‘Please, Inspector Glassman, isn’t it better to talk than fight?’ I stated vigorously.

He pulled in his chin and blinked at me. ‘My thoughts exactly, but people are always eager to rush into an affray and fight. The sooner you lot get the vote the better.’ He huffed and his shoulders dropped. ‘Come on then, let’s go and see the troublemaker.’ He picked up a ring of keys from his desk and locked the police station once we were in the street.

Boniface was halfway between his delivery cart and the bakery when I saw him.

‘Mr Boniface, can I have a word with you?’

He stopped, glared at me for a second, then hefted another sack of flour onto his back. ‘You’ve got a nerve! Why are you here? Come to see what further heartbreak and damage you can cause?’