In my solitary confinement, time stood still and I had no notion of day or night.

*

I heard the big door at the top of the stairs open and Mrs Cooper’s protesting voice.

‘Eeh, you’re not keeping the poor girl down here? Come on now . . . what if she were your sister, is this how you’d want her treated, lad?’

‘Oh, Mrs Cooper, thank goodness!’

‘Now, now, don’t fret, Miss Gertie. I’ve got all your creature comforts and we’ll soon have you out of here. Your man friend is right behind me, and he’ll be down as soon as I’ve relieved myself of your things.’ She shimmied her shoulders and made a mischievous pout.

‘Man friend? How are my parents, Mrs Cooper?’

‘Your mother is ailing, but not much different. Your father’s much better, miss. The people of Dover have really spoiled him. Everyone in town owes him a kindness, and here comes an opportunity to repay that debt. Folk have taken him special meals, and enough cakes for him to open a bakery. He’ll be here tomorrow, once I’ve ironed him a fresh shirt and collar.’ Mrs Cooper fussed about for ten minutes then bid me goodbye.

*

I heard slow footfalls on the stairs followed by Inspector Glassman’s voice. ‘So here she is, sir. I’m afraid we had no choice but to lock her up.’

Corporal Perkins appeared in full uniform, but not wearing his prosthesis. His trouser leg was pinned up, and he supported himself with two beautifully varnished crutches. He swept my heart away as he appeared on the other side of my barred doorway.

‘Oh, poor Gertie!’ He turned to Glassman. ‘Aren’t you going to let me in there?’

‘I’m not sure the doctor would approve, sir.’

‘Inspector, I’m a Corporal in the British army. Miss Gertie and I were both on the Britannic on the day she sank. I lost my leg in this war while fighting for you and my country. Also, I’m a close friend of the family. In fact, I was there for tea only last week.’

Glassman looked unsure for a second, then addressed me. ‘What do you say, miss? Shall I let him in for half an hour?’

‘Inspector Glassman, I assure you that Corporal Perkins is a soldier and a gentleman. I will be perfectly safe left alone in his company.’

‘If you’re certain, miss. I’ll leave the door at the top of the stairs open, so just call out at any time and I will hear you. However, this does mean I will have to lock the Corporal in too.’

‘Perfectly fine,’ I assured him. Johnathan Perkins stood behind the inspector and wiggled his eyebrows in a comical manner and I struggled not to laugh. Oh, what joy, to have some company!

‘Thank you so much for coming, Johnathan.’