Looking around, Holly noticed that the young man she had bathed earlier was crying out so, rushing across to him, she gripped his hand and gently stroked the damp hair back from his brow. His eyes were open but she could see that he was very feverish.

‘Tell me … mam … that I’m sorry,’ he appealed. ‘She didn’t want … me to join up but I thought I … knew best an’ I wanted her to be proud o’ me.’

‘I’m sure she is but just rest now and save your strength,’ Holly soothed but his head moved from side to side. Realising that he was in a bad way she ran to find the sister who came back to the bed with her and took his pulse. She drew Holly slightly away from the bed and whispered, ‘Poor soul won’t last the night. Will you sit with him? I hate to think of any of the patients dying without someone by their side. Just offer what comfort you can.’

‘Of course.’ Holly went to find a chair and after placing it at the side of his bed she gently took his hand.

He turned his head to her to ask, ‘Will you write a letter … for me. To me girl? And see that she gets it?’

‘Of course I will.’ Holly had a lump the size of an egg in her throat as she went off in search of pen and paper, which the sister supplied her with.

‘Right, what would you like me to write?’ she asked.

He licked his lips, and began haltingly:

Dear Jeannie,

I just want you to know that after I met you I always knew that you were the girl for me. Remember how we used to talk about the children we would have one day? Two boys and two girls? And the little cottage in the country we were going to buy? Sadly I don’t think that will happen now. I’ve lost me legs and even if I come home I wouldn’t want you to be tied to a cripple for the rest of your life. So what I want you to do now is put away the ring I gave you and when the war is over settle down with someone who will love you as much as I do. Please go and see me mam and tell her that I love her, and me brothers and sisters, and never forget that I love you with all me heart. You were the best thing that ever happened to me so be happy, sweetheart, and have a good life,

All my love forever, Tom xxx

By the time the letter was finished tears were rolling down Holly’s cheeks. What was left of his legs was clearly terribly infected and Holly was experienced enough to realise that the sister was right, there was little hope for him now. She lay his letter aside and after drying her tears she asked him cheerfully, ‘So, what is your Jeannie like then? Is she pretty?’