Page 104 of Summer in Greece

‘So, let me see if I have this straight. You were on duty that morning and you cannot swear that you didn’t open the portholes, an action that forced the Captain to sound abandon ship; an action that rendered the Britannic’s double hull and watertight doors useless, and caused the ship to sink faster, before she reached port; an action that led to the deaths of many brave soldiers, sailors, and medical staff?’

I lost track of his question and didn’t know if I should answer yes or no. They saw through me, saw everything I was done for. ‘I can’t say anything for sure, sir, because I can’t remember all that happened that morning.’

‘I see. So, you may have opened the portholes?’

‘I can’t say, sir.’

‘If you can’t remember, then you may have opened the portholes, is that right? Just answer yes or no.’

‘Yes, sir.’

He sighed loudly. ‘Yes, what?’

I flinched. ‘Yes, I may have opened the portholes, sir.’

‘At last! Thank you, you may go.’

*

Outside the town hall, Josephine, Matron, and Father stood side by side staring anxiously at the entrance. As soon as I appeared, they strode towards me.

‘How did it go?’ Father asked.

I shook my head. ‘I don’t know. I told them I couldn’t remember, but they went on and on until I don’t know what I said.’

Matron and my father exchanged a worried glance. ‘No use fretting about it now,’ Father said. ‘Let’s go and eat, then start on our journey home. I don’t like to leave your mother alone after dark. There’s a Naval Train that runs, Portsmouth-Brighton-Dover. If we hurry, we’ll just make it.’ He turned to Merriberry. ‘However, Matron, can I offer you some refreshment before we leave?’

Her cheeks turned pink and she stammered, lost for words! ‘I . . . well . . . that would be lovely, but I think you’d be wiser to buy some food and drink to take onto the train, Dr Smith, to be sure it doesn’t leave without you.’

He made a little bow. ‘I want to thank you for letting me know about the inquiry, dear lady. You’ve been very kind,’ Father said to her, deepening the blush in her cheeks.

She appeared flustered and said, ‘Sorry to leave you, but I have an urgent appointment. Miss Smith, I have a little book I wish to lend you, in light of your recent work in the theatre. Please return it to me next time we meet. In the meantime, read as much as you can.’ She handed over a brown-paper package tied with string. ‘Safe journey to you both.’ She turned quickly and rushed away.

‘She seems a good woman,’ Father said, watching her go. ‘Now, as we walk to the station, tell me again what happened in the inquiry, and Matron’s right, we’d better step on it.’

*

We boarded the train at one o’clock and dismounted at supper-time, taking a horse and carriage home. As we approached, my first thought was that there had been an accident, or perhaps even a bomb had fallen. A crowd of people stood in the lane outside our house. The police were there too, and people were shouting, though I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Someone threw a small rock at the house and a window smashed immediately taking me back to the terror of the Britannic, when the lifeboat smashed the glass hospital sign on the hull.

It was already too dark to make out who these people were, until one stepped forward, yelling directly right into my face.

‘You killed the only son I had left! He was fifteen! A sea scout with his whole life before him, and now he’s dead thanks to you!’ He up-and-downed my uniform with a glare. ‘Call yourself a nurse? You’re supposed to save lives, not murder the last of my boys because you can’t obey orders.’ He turned to the crowd. ‘This is what happens when they let women into the war! It’s a disgrace, she should be strung up for murder.’

My father put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me towards the garden gate. Someone threw an egg and by the strong fish stench that rose from the path, we knew it was bad.

‘Go inside and lock the door,’ Father said. ‘I’ll be in shortly.’ He turned to address our assailants.

‘Jacob Boniface, is that you? Was it not only two months ago I saved your daughter’s life and gave you a fine healthy grandson? Is this the way you repay me? Be aware that one day you will need me again, and when that happens, I’ll remember this night!’ There was a quieting of the throng. ‘What on earth makes any of you think my daughter had anything to do with the Britannic sinking?’

‘We’ve seen tonight’s broadsheet, so we know, Doctor. The newspapers don’t lie, do they?’

CHAPTER 43

SHELLY

Greece, present day.

AN ALARM SOUNDED AND A red light flashed over the monitors. Shelly jumped. ‘What’s happening?’