The promenade deck became unsafe. We secured everything that moved on E deck. Nevertheless, the area became an obstacle course. Patients threw up in their beds, and I discovered changing linen was impossible in a rolling vessel. The sea crashed across the deck from port to starboard as we pitched and tossed. In one hazardous exercise, everything not welded to the floor was brought in and lashed down by the crew.

In the salon we squealed, clutching each other in horror when we saw one poor fellow outside lifted clean off his feet, somersaulting on the crest of a wave across the deck until he was dragged to a halt by his lifeline. Those brave men clung on as they worked in the most perilous conditions.

The next morning, at six thirty, I took my usual swift walk around deck after a hurried breakfast, before going on duty at seven. A brilliant blue sky reflected on a flat, millpond sea. At last, the Greece I had imagined! I sensed the magic of this amazing country that both Sissy and Arthur had described. The warm, silky air stroked my skin. I knew I’d be swimming in the turquoise Aegean sea at the first opportunity. Distant islands broke the horizon, the scene wonderfully calm and beautiful. One would never guess there was a war going on. Lost in the beauty of it all, I was brought back to now by the first of six tolls from the ship’s bell. I peered up at the crow’s nest from where the sounds rang, then I checked Sissy’s beautiful silver watch; yes, it was just coming up to seven o’clock. I raced to the ward.

The vice-captain had completed the inspection and the night staff, gone for breakfast. The day shift, plus the doctors and surgeons, joined those tired nurses for an early morning meeting on the procedure once we arrived at Lemnos.

I, the least important person, found myself in charge of the ward for thirty minutes. Determined, I threw my shoulders back and proceeded to complete my chores. But my elation faded, as it always did. While training, I’d listened to the experiences of other nurses, afraid to think of what might lay ahead. I hadn’t foreseen work that involved the basic, bodily functions end of nursing when I signed up as a VAD. Mopping brows and changing bandages, I’d thought. Smiles from grateful soldiers. ‘Get used to it,’ Barbara had said. ‘It’s only composted food after all.’ That thought helped me a lot.

‘Sluice duty, Smith,’ Staff Nurse ordered. The stink of excrement raced up my nostrils like a slippery worm and made me shudder. ‘Then irrigate Corporal Perkins’s dressing.’

I glanced at the handsome Corporal and caught his mischievous wink.