The first person he saw when he entered the foyer of the hotel was Victoria, stationed behind the reception desk. She had put her hair up and looked very grown up but he had no difficulty recognising her. He dropped his bag on the floor and went to the desk. She looked up from a ledger and he said, ‘Good day! Remember me?’

‘Gus! Of course I remember.’ Her face lit up. ‘How could I forget? It’s lovely to see you again.’

‘It’s good to see you, too,’ he said, feeling suddenly shy.

‘What are you doing back in Melbourne? Have you just come off a ship?’

‘Yes, I’m straight off the Royal Standard.’

‘You’ve never emigrated!’

‘Not exactly. I came over as a member of the crew. But I plan to stay.’

Mr Croft came down the stairs and Victoria called, ‘Dad, come and see who’s here. It’s Gus Lavender. You remember him, don’t you?’

‘I certainly do,’ her father replied. ‘Welcome back, Gus.’ They shook hands and Mr Croft looked him up and down. ‘Well, you look a bit different from the scruffy kid you were last time around.’

‘Isn’t he smart?’ Victoria said. ‘He’s off the Royal Standard.’

‘Not as a cabin boy, this time, at a guess.’

‘No. Purser’s assistant.’

‘Really? Well, that’s a step up and no mistake. I always thought you were a bright kid. What have you been doing with yourself since the Shenandoah was here?’

‘Oh, this and that. I’ve been back in Liverpool, working as a clerk for the White Star Line, until I decided to ship on the Standard.’

‘So when do you sail? You must stay here until then, unless you’ve got somewhere better to go, that is.’

‘No, I’ve got nowhere else. I’d be grateful to stay for a bit. I’m not planning to go back. I’m looking for a job.’

Mr Croft studied his face for a moment. ‘Looking for a job, eh? Well, there’s one here for you, if you fancy it.’

‘Here? Doing what?’

‘As a receptionist. Victoria’s only filling in. Our last girl left to get married and I haven’t filled the post yet, so if you want it it’s yours.’

Gus looked from him to Victoria and she said, ‘Do stay, Gus. I’ll be glad to get out of the job.’

‘Well, if you’re sure. I’d be glad to take it on.’

‘It’ll give you a start, anyway,’ Mr Croft said. ‘You may want to look around for something with better prospects, but we’ll be glad to have you while you do. The salary’s nothing to write home about, but you’ll have your bed and board. So if you’re happy with that …?’

‘More than happy! I’m really grateful, sir.’