‘You’re crazy, Manno. Really crazy. Let me speak to Father. Come to the house with me.’

I pointed to the chairs under the oak tree. ‘Wait there, Manno.’

‘You’re sure he will not shoot me?’

‘I’m sure.’ I pulled the front door open, wheeled the perambulator into the vestibule, and lifted Adam.

‘Who is that?’ Father asked as he turned away from the window. ‘He was here earlier, looking for you.’

‘Manno is the mailman who rescued us when the Britannic went down, Father.’ I sat in the nursing chair in front of the fireplace. ‘His grandmother looked after me, did my laundry and gave me her bed. A very special lady.’

Adam snuffled and gave a little cry, telling me of his hunger. As usual, the sound made my nipples harden painfully. I quickly unbuttoned the front of my dress and then opened the top of my combinations. My baby searched, open-mouthed, for my teat, latched on, and then nursed hungrily. His little fist opened and closed against the white skin of my breast, and his eyes half closed with contentment. There was something miraculous about feeding my little one, and the process filled me with wonder.

Father came over and, with an adoring look, peered down at us. ‘One of the most wonderful sights in the world, Gertie.’ Then he straightened up, and asked, ‘What do you want to do about the young man?’

‘He sold his fishing boat to come here and see me for a few hours, Father. His ticket to go back to Greece is for the morning ferry. I’m sure he will never return, so I would like to spend a little time with him. I know that’s inappropriate, but still . . . who will know? Oh, Father!’ And suddenly it was all too much. My tears broke free and raced down my cheeks. Adam stopped suckling and stared at me.

Father turned back to look out of the window.

‘Oh, Father. I feel so ashamed. I’ve been nothing but trouble, haven’t I? I’m so sorry. I try to do the right thing, but everything seems to go wrong. And now . . . and now I will have to bear the consequences of my actions for the rest of my life.’

‘Do you love him?’ I nodded. ‘Where does this leave your husband?’

‘Johnathan is a good man, really, and he does love me. He will provide a fine life for us, and Father, he deserves better than me. I will thank you to forget all this as soon as you can. Johnathan need never know. It would only hurt him.’