“Out you get,” someone said, and she quickly sat up and climbed over, finding herself surrounded by orderlies.

Cate blinked, thinking her eyes must be betraying her.

“Welcome on board the Dinard,” one of the orderlies said. “Are you injured?”

“No, but my friend Jack, the one who came up before me, he needs to see a surgeon. He has internal injuries and—”

“Ma’am, he’s already on his way to see the doctor. I’m sure you’re in shock from seeing his wound, but—”

“I’m a nurse,” she said. “I was left behind during the evacuation of Dunkirk.”

“Cate?”

She heard her name being called, and she spun around, not able to tell where it had come from. Was she hallucinating?

“Oh my God, Cate !”

Someone pushed through the gathered orderlies, and as Cate’s feet gave way, as everything she’d been through suddenly caught up with her, she collapsed into warm, familiar arms.

“I’m here,” a woman’s voice soothed. “I knew you’d make it.”

“Lilly?” she croaked. How can it be Lilly?

“Did you truly think I was going to leave you behind? I’ve been searching for you ever since we parted.” Lilly kissed her cheek. “You have no idea how good it is to see you again!”

Cate started to laugh then, shutting her eyes as Lilly’s warm arms embraced her. “I must be dreaming. This can’t be real. You’re can’t really be here.”

“Let’s get you to a doctor for a check-over, just in case,” Lilly said.

“Don’t let them take my dog,” she whispered. “You have to keep him safe. You can’t let anyone hurt him.”

Lilly didn’t miss a beat, and when Cate opened her eyes, as orderlies lifted her on to a stretcher, she saw that Oscar was nestled in Lilly’s arms.

“I promise, he’s safe,” Lilly said. “And so are you.”

Cate couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer, and as blackness swirled around her as she finally gave in to her exhaustion, all she could think of was home.

We’re almost there, Jack. We’re almost home.

“Cate, are you awake?”

Cate blinked, her eyes adjusting to the light. She moved her fingers and found they were being held, and when she looked she saw that Lilly’s warm palm was pressed to hers.

“I thought it was all a dream,” she said. “But you’re really here, aren’t you?”

Lilly smiled. “I’m really here, and so are you.”

Cate looked around, sitting up as she searched the room. “Where’s Oscar? Where’s my dog? Lilly, I—”

“Oscar is fine,” said Lilly, her hands on Cate’s shoulders as she gently pressed her back down. “He’s in my room tucked up in my bed, so he’s perfectly fine for a while.”