Florrie must have recognized that Daisy needed to get away and wanted her to follow, as she made no further protest until they were out of sight. ‘What were all that about, Daisy? I’m not right pleased with you. I’ve only just got together with Giles, and you pull me away.’

‘I’m sorry, lass. Just take it that I had to. I felt cheapened by sommat as happened.’

Florrie looked shocked, but didn’t protest further.

As they stepped inside the ship and turned in the direction of the arrow pointing towards the cabins, Matron, looking more flustered than Daisy had ever seen her, stopped them. ‘There you are! Thank God.’

‘Sorry, Matron, we didn’t knaw as you were looking for us.’

‘It’s chaos. I can’t find half my nurses, and those I did find said that you and Florrie had stayed behind, Sister. I was terrified for you, but know that is your character, and I commend you for it. I wanted to myself, but had responsibility for all my staff. Now, the sisters and senior medics are all billeted up that way, and the nurses along here.’

‘We want to be together, Matron, please. I don’t mind going in a cabin in the nurses’ quarter.’

‘Very well, I understand. Of course. Take Florrie along with you – none of the first three cabins have been taken. Sister Bett is in the fourth one, awaiting someone to share with her, but there are only two bunks to a cabin.’

‘I’ll look in on her, Matron.’

Bett was composed and jolly, not a bit like she had been when the evacuation was first spoken of. After greeting them both with a hug and saying how glad she was they were safe, she told them, ‘I ran to the kitchen before I left and grabbed a box of those biscuits I like. I was going to tuck in, but do you want to take some to your cabin?’

This made Daisy burst out laughing. ‘Oh, Bett, you’re incorrigible. Aye, I’d love a biscuit; it might settle my gurgling tummy. I’ve eaten nowt this morning.’

When the ship sailed out of port, Daisy felt they were truly safe. Florrie was asleep on her bunk, but Daisy couldn’t rest. It felt to her as if she and Alex had had their first rift; but how could he make a joke about her with his friend? Not that she’d heard what he’d said, but it was obvious that Alex was warning Giles not to come to their cabin for a while. Giles’s look had shrivelled her insides.