‘Not sure,’ she confessed. ‘I’ve onny been once and I was in no fit state to take any notice.’

He shook the reins and turned the horse and wagon about, and set off. ‘I’ve an idea where it is,’ he said, and shortly afterwards he turned right and cut down the many narrow streets around Wincomlee.

Ellen agreed that this was the right direction. ‘It’s more or less ’same way we came back last time. We go down Francis Street and we should pass a church and ’infirmary is straight on.’

And it was; within half an hour they were driving through the hospital gates. Billy tied the horse securely to a metal fence in the courtyard and took Ellen’s elbow to shepherd her through the door, where as luck would have it they were greeted by Isaac, the young porter. He remembered Ellen.

‘Good afternoon, Mrs Randell.’ He touched his forehead courteously. ‘Nice to see you again. I saw that Mr Randell was out of bed yesterday.’

‘Was he?’ She was immediately brightened by the news. ‘Can we go up? Is it visiting time? This is my brother come from out of town to visit him.’

‘How do you do, sir?’ Isaac touched his forehead again and then glanced up at the clock on the wall. ‘Yes,’ he said softly. ‘Near enough.’ He gave her a wink. ‘Blame me if anybody says owt.’

Billy smiled at Ellen as they made their way up the steps. ‘You’ve made a conquest there, Ellen.’

She raised her eyebrows at him as they approached the ward doors. Just as they were wondering whether they should go in, the doors swung open and Dr Lucan came out. He too recognized Ellen, and asked solicitously how she was, saying he hoped she hadn’t walked.

‘I feel much better, thank you, doctor,’ she said. ‘And thank you for your concern.’ She indicated Billy. ‘My brother has come over from Holderness this morning and brought me in ’wagon, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to come. How is my husband? Is he any better?’

‘Much,’ he said, ‘though still sleepy and under the influence of medication. But come in,’ he added, opening the door again and ushering them inside, ‘you can see for yourself,’ and he walked the length of the ward with them to the bed where Harry was lying propped up against the pillows with his eyes closed.

Billy brought Ellen a chair to sit on and Dr Lucan bent over Harry and said softly, ‘Mr Randell, here’s another tonic for you.’

Harry gave a slight groan. ‘I’ve just tekken some, doctor. It’s not time for more.’ He blinked to open his bloodshot eyes. ‘I’m really tired.’

‘This tonic will wake you up,’ the doctor said. ‘Come on now, where’s that Holderness spirit?’