‘Do you have children?’ I asked.

He shook his head. ‘One day I’d like to. I’ll wait until I leave the navy though. I’d hate to miss out on seeing ’em grow.’

‘That sounds smart. Have you got a wife?’

As soon as the words were out of my mouth I wanted to grab them and shove them back in. He shook his head and looked away. For a moment all was quiet except for the screaming gulls.

‘Would you like to take her up to see the wheelhouse? Have you been up there yet?’

‘I haven’t. Are we allowed?’

‘Not normally, but I can take you.’

‘Let me just go tell her mum.’

‘I’ll wait here.’

When I got to Shirley’s deckchair she was fast asleep, so I decided not to wake her. We returned and the officer held out his hand.

‘I’m Jim, by the way.’

‘Sarah.’ I hadn’t shaken many hands in my life and it made me worry I was doing it all wrong. Were you meant to squeeze? I was glad when he let go. I lifted Iris and she shook his hand with her chubby little one.

‘Iris,’ she said quite seriously in her squeaky voice, and Jim and I grinned.

‘Hello, young lady. Nice to make your acquaintance.’

We followed Jim up sets of narrow stairs to the bridge. As we walked he pointed to various doors. ‘Chief engineer’s room, staff captain’s room, captain’s dayroom, captain’s room, chart room, my room…’ He paused.

‘You’re up here then? What’s your role?’

‘Ensign.’ Jim’s face flushed. I could see he was both proud of his position and embarrassed by his pride.

We stood at the door of the wheel room and Jim pointed out a binnacle, a steering telegraph, an engine telegraph. He showed us the radio room, where the wireless operator, wearing headphones, was turning the dials on a large black machine, writing something down. Beside it was the telegraph room, which held a telegraph machine and a switchboard.

‘Are we allowed to go and see the engine room?’ I asked.

Jim looked at his watch. ‘Can I show you another time? I’m meant to be on duty in five minutes, and it will take us twice that to get there.’

‘Of course. Another time.’

Jim carried Iris down the steep staircase to the main deck for me, then he hurried off to report for duty. Shirley ran up, looking flushed and frantic.

‘There you are! Oh, thank God—Iris.’ She took her daughter and clutched her tight. Iris began to whinge and squirm.

‘I’m sorry, Shirley, an officer offered to show us the bridge, and I came to tell you but you were asleep…’