Pierre was as cool as a cucumber as he replied, ‘I am delivering supplies to the hospital. I delivered yours to your headquarters this morning.’

‘Very well, move on.’

Pierre clicked his tongue and the old horse pulled off again as tears of relief ran down Holly’s pale cheeks. That had been a little too close for comfort. She was sandwiched between Richard and Sam and when Richard’s arm came around her and he held her to him comfortingly it was all she could do to stop herself from turning to him and blurting out why she had been forced to end their relationship. Being so close to him was torture but she bit her tongue as the old horse and wagon clattered on through the night. There was a dense fog but thankfully the horse seemed to know the roads and after what felt like an eternity Pierre’s voice came to them. ‘We are safe and back inside the grounds of the hospital.’

Holly gave an audible gasp but then everyone’s attention was focused on Sam again. They had to get him on to the ward as quickly as possible now.

Richard helped her down from the wagon as Sister Flynn appeared from the fog to tell her, ‘Follow me, you can change back into your uniform in my office. It’s imperative that you are not seen.’

Holly thought the likelihood of that was slim as it was now the early hours of the morning. The nurses who had worked the day shift would be fast asleep and the night nurses would hopefully be busy on the wards. She followed the sister into her office while Pierre and one of the male nurses got Sam into a ward. Richard had already hurried away to get changed.

Sister Flynn turned her back discreetly as Holly struggled into her uniform and when she had finished she turned to her and smiled. ‘Well done, nurse. You’ve done a remarkable job. But remember, not a word to anyone. Walls have ears and should it ever become known what the Le’Fetes do I have no need to tell you what would happen. Everyone has been told that you and Dr Parkin were transferred to another field hospital further up the line because of a temporary shortage of staff. Stick to that … Oh, and by the way, I have applied for two weeks leave for you. I rather think you deserve it.’

Holly’s heart soared as she thought of her family. It would be so good to see them again and she was grateful. ‘Thank you, Sister, thank you ever so much.’

‘No, my dear, it is I that should be thanking you. You put your life at risk to go on this mission. But now go and get some rest and take tomorrow off. I dare say you’ve had little sleep for the last few days and when your leave pass is approved I shall let you know. Goodnight.’

‘Goodnight, Sister Flynn.’ Holly set off for her tent with a smile on her face. The last days had been fraught with danger and anxiety but they had earned her a visit to her family. She would not say no to it.