Filip took Ellen by the elbow and led her in through the open door. She began to shake. There was a smell of antiseptic that made her feel sick; nurses in white uniforms were hurrying up a wide stone staircase. A young porter, dressed in navy livery, no more than fourteen or so, came towards them. ‘Can I assist you, sir, madam?’

His voice was strained, as if it had only just broken and he was memorizing the mantra of what he had to say.

‘This is Mrs Randell,’ Filip said firmly. ‘She has come to visit her husband. He was injured in explosion.’

The porter nodded his head. ‘One moment, sir,’ he said, and went off to fetch someone. He came back with an older man dressed in similar attire but with a taller hat.

‘Mrs Randell,’ he said. ‘Isaac will take you upstairs to the ward. You must speak to ’surgeon or nurse on duty to ask if your husband is well enough to see you.’

Ellen felt a rush of relief, which was dashed as he continued, ‘You’ll have had confirmation that Mr Randell is here and has not been taken elsewhere, I assume? There were fatalities, I believe.’

She saw the young porter cast an anxious glance at the older man as he waited for further instruction. He was given a nod and a wave to go upstairs, and said, ‘If you’ll follow me, Mrs Randell. Sir,’ he added to Filip. As they climbed the stairs, he spoke in a low voice. ‘I understand that ’fatality was a young lad, ma’am. Not an older man.’

She was grateful to him, but saddened that someone young had died. ‘Did you know him?’

‘No ma’am, I didn’t.’

Of course he wouldn’t, she thought. This is a large town, not like the country where everyone knows everyone else and news travels fast. ‘Is this your first job of work, Isaac?’ she asked, for something to say, anything to take her mind off what might be in front of her.

‘It is,’ he said proudly. ‘This is ’best hospital in Yorkshire. I hope to work my way up to be ’head porter.’

He brought them to the first floor and asked them to wait whilst he went to fetch a nurse.

‘Filip,’ Ellen whispered. ‘I’m keeping you from your work – I’m so sorry.’

He brushed away her apologies. ‘It does not matter. I will stay until we know the circumstances.’ There was seating against the wall and he insisted that Ellen sat down until Isaac came back.

‘Someone will be with you shortly, Mrs Randell. I hope all is well,’ he said, and headed downstairs again.

It was at least half an hour before anyone came and then a nurse appeared. ‘Mrs Randell. Please come through.’ She held up her hand when Filip rose too. ‘One visitor only for the moment, sir, I’m afraid. If you would kindly wait.’