Alex pulled Daisy to him. Letting go of Florrie and finding comfort in his strength, Daisy went willingly into his arms. But a voice calling out caught their attention.

They turned to see Giles running along the deck towards them, shouting, ‘Florrie. Florrie!’

Her face lit up. ‘Giles. Oh, Giles!’

‘Florrie, I – I’ve been a cad. Forgive me. I’ve been desperate to find you. I thought I’d lost you, that you’d gone on another ship . . . Florrie, I love you – I do. And I know now that I can surmount any difficulty that we may face in the future.’

Daisy waited. Part of her didn’t want Florrie to give in to the snobbish Giles, but looking at Florrie’s face, she knew she would.

‘Giles, oh, my Giles – there’s nowt to forgive. I understood. I’m not much of a catch for the circles you move in. But, you know, I can learn. I’ll do owt. Cos I love you an’ all, Giles. With all me heart, I love you.’

Giles giggled, then took Florrie in his arms. As he spoke, he warmed Daisy’s heart. ‘Don’t ever change, my Florrie. I love you as you are, and if any of my friends reject you, then they reject me, too.’ With this, he kissed Florrie on the lips. Daisy turned away and smiled up at Alex as she whispered, ‘There’s nowt like the closeness of death to open up your heart.’

‘No, there isn’t. And we did have a close shave, darling, especially with you insisting on staying that bit longer. But I love you for that. Oh, Daisy, as soon as we get home, will you marry me?’

‘I will, and I’ll be glad to. You’re all I ever dreamed of.’

It was her turn to be kissed. The kiss took away her fear, and all the pain of having to leave. And Alex’s whisper as he came out of the kiss thrilled her, when she read his meaning. ‘Shall we go and find which cabins we’ve been allocated, and be together in mine in private for a while?’

She nodded. ‘But I’ll have to tell Florrie I’m going.’

‘I’ll do that.’

Alex tapped Giles on the shoulder and whispered something to him. Giles put his thumb up. ‘See you later, mate.’

Daisy blushed as Giles gave her a knowing look. Her feelings were torn, as she realized that Alex must have told Giles what he had in mind, and this spoilt the moment for her. Turning back, she spoke to Florrie. ‘Come on, Florrie lass. We’ll go and find our cabin. We’ll see you two later.’

‘But . . .’

‘Come on, lass.’