She laughed and laid the blanket aside. ‘I think you’re right. Thank you for bringing me, Filip. The infirmary is onny five minutes’ walk from here, and I can find my way home again.’

‘Good,’ he said, jumping from his seat to come and help her down. ‘You won’t get lost? For I don’t know how long I will be.’

Telling him not to worry, she set off for the bottom of Albion Street, where she saw the hospital gates on the opposite side of the road.

The older porter greeted her again and said she was a little early for visiting, but she should go upstairs and sit and wait until she was told she could enter the ward.

Dutifully she did as she was bid and sat with her hands folded in her lap. She felt her eyes closing and must have been on the point of falling asleep, for she jumped when she felt a tap on her shoulder and opened her eyes to see the young nurse who had been present when she had spoken to Jim Smith.

‘It’s Mrs Randell, isn’t it?’ the nurse said softly.

‘Yes, it is.’ Ellen got to her feet. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘I was miles away.’

‘You’ve come to see your husband?’ The nurse cast a glance about her.

‘Yes, is that all right? The porter said—’

‘It’s perfectly all right. Mrs Randell, could I ask a favour of you? I shouldn’t really, and I might get into trouble, but I don’t care.’

She’s very young, Ellen thought. I’m surprised they take anyone so young; perhaps she started as a ward maid. ‘What is it?’ she asked.

‘The boy, Jim Smith … you know him?’

‘Not really. But I know he was injured in ’same accident as my husband.’

The nurse gave a series of quick nods as if she knew that. ‘He’s very unwell,’ she said quietly. ‘I don’t like to think of him being alone, but I have to go off duty now and my replacement won’t get to him immediately …’ Her words trailed away but Ellen understood immediately what she was saying.

‘Oh, no,’ she whispered. ‘May I go to him?’

‘Would you? Please. He settled so quickly when you were here last time. Your husband is asleep.’

Ellen patted her arm, and pushed open the ward doors and walked quickly down to where a screen concealed Jim’s bed. She glanced at Harry and saw that he was indeed fast asleep and breathing easily.