Holly didn’t even have to think about it. ‘I say yes,’ she breathed with all the love she felt for him shining in her eyes.

‘In that case I suppose I’d better take you shopping on Saturday for a ring. But now I’d better get back to work. I don’t want to get the sack if I have a fiancée to support, do I?’

Resisting the urge to kiss her because they were in full view of everyone in the canteen he went on his way and Holly followed on legs that suddenly felt as if they’d developed a life of their own.

As the afternoon wore on her elation began to wear off. What were her mother and grandfather going to say when she suddenly appeared with a fiancé that they’d had no idea about? And what about Matron? She had a strict rule that there should be no consorting between doctors and nurses. She was also very disapproving of any of her nurses being married, especially the younger ones. Perhaps she should suggest to Richard that she took him to meet the family before they bought the ring. At least then it wouldn’t come as such a shock to those back at home.

She put the idea to him that evening. ‘I’m not saying that I don’t want to get engaged,’ she assured him hastily. ‘It’s just that I feel it might be better if we do it this way. At least then my family will have met you. And as for Matron … perhaps we should keep it quiet at the hospital, for now at least. I wouldn’t be allowed to wear my ring at work anyway.’

‘All right, if you feel more comfortable doing it that way,’ he agreed. ‘The trouble is I’m not due a weekend off till the end of next month.’

‘That will give me plenty of time to tell my family that I’m bringing someone very special home to meet them. But I’ll bet Ivy will guess it’s you before I say a word. I think that she knew I loved you even before I did.’ She snuggled into his arms contentedly feeling like the luckiest girl in the world.

A few days later as Ivy settled down to read her latest letter from Holly, she grinned. Alice was fast asleep in the crib that Holly had slept in as a baby and Ivy glanced at her every few seconds as if to assure herself that she was still there. Already she couldn’t imagine a life without the baby in it and she absolutely adored her. It was no wonder really, for Alice was a beautiful child with the sweetest nature. She never cried unless she was hungry and Ivy could hardly bear to let her out of her sight. In fact, little Alice had everyone in the house eating out of her tiny hand. Even Holly’s grandfather had taken a shine to her and quite enjoyed a little cuddle whenever he could prise her away from her mother for a few seconds.