I discovered a great advantage to being on F deck. Just down the corridor was the glorious white-tiled swimming bath! With teak ladders at each end, entering the water was far easier than going into the sea at home. A row of changing rooms on the port side of the poolroom reminded me of beach huts in St Margaret’s Bay, at home. The starboard side was lined with patterned marble, and luxuriously lit by gold sconces. I couldn’t wait to swim in such sumptuous surroundings.

I had just unpacked when the steward delivered a parcel addressed in my mother’s hand. What luxuries I discovered! A tin of Dundee cake, four tablets of coal tar soap, a precious slab of chocolate, and a carefully wrapped book. I imagined Mother thinking of me while she packed everything. She probably shed a tear for Sissy, too. Dear Mother. How I would miss her. I wanted to hug her right then.

The book was filled with pictures of women workers in factories, bronzing and soldering and making high-explosive shells, amongst other things. I could imagine Mother being shocked by what she saw. The author, Minister of Munitions, Mr Lloyd George, claimed: ‘there were never such useful or dedicated workers as the women of the munitions’ factories.’

My heart swelled knowing darling Sissy had worked in a place like this. Row upon row of missiles, thousands of them. Women, it was true, had their heads wrapped like puddings in a muslin cloth. I could never have imagined the scene just from Sissy’s letters.

I turned another page and gasped with shock. There she was! My darling sister, an angel in heaven for almost a year and so badly missed, yet she stared up from the page smiling right into my eyes as if she knew this very moment would happen.

I was crying without realising and ignored a knock on the cabin door. I just wanted to absorb the brightness of my precious sister’s smile.

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

SHELLY

Dover, present day.

IN THE SPARE ROOM OF WHITE COTTAGE, Shelly kept her eyes closed and allowed memories of the first time she had met David and his dog to fill her mind.

*

‘I haven’t been watching you at all,’ he said with a slightly hurt tone and a faint blush. ‘I’m a lifeguard, it’s my job to watch the swimmers and you’re good, you stand out. Why don’t you join the swimmers’ club? They coach people with potential. Anyway, that’s your choice. Tell me, what should I do about my dog?’

‘How long have you had her?’