To her surprise she found him waiting for her when she came out of the sluice.

‘Ah, Nurse Farthing, isn’t it?’ He held out his hand and she shook it awkwardly. ‘I’m Dr Parkin and I believe you are caring for Mrs Batty?’

‘Yes, doctor.’

‘Well, the good news is I’ve examined her and she’s coming along nicely. I think she could go home the day after tomorrow when she’s had her stitches out if she continues as she is. I shall come to the ward to remove them myself late tomorrow afternoon.’

‘Very well, doctor.’ He was very good-looking: tall and broad-shouldered with thick, dark hair that had a tendency to curl, and deep brown eyes, fringed with thick lashes that most girls would envy. But it was his attitude that Holly found the most appealing. He spoke to her as an equal whereas most of the doctors tended to talk down to the nurses, especially the Red Cross ones who weren’t yet fully qualified. Suddenly she found herself looking forward to seeing him again but at that moment the sister bore down on her with a list of jobs as long as her arm and for the rest of the morning Holly was too busy to think about anything else.

Her lunch hour was delayed by almost an hour that day because of an emergency arriving on the ward and as she headed for the hospital canteen she was looking forward to a nice hot cup of tea and a sandwich to tide her over until she and Ivy had their evening meal. Laden with a tray she glanced around for an empty table and when she found one she sat down and began to eat her meal. Seconds later a male voice asked, ‘Would you mind very much if I join you?’

Holly felt hot colour flood into her cheeks as she glanced up into the handsome face of the young doctor who had visited the ward earlier.

‘I, er … I don’t mind,’ she said. ‘But the doctors aren’t encouraged to mix with the nurses.’

He laughed. ‘Not during work hours perhaps but we’re on our lunch break, aren’t we? Who could object to that?’ He slid onto the chair opposite her and suddenly Holly felt tongue-tied. What did one say to a qualified doctor? He was almost like a god in her eyes – and in the eyes of most of the other nurses if the way they were glancing enviously across at her was anything to go by.

He took a huge bite out of his sandwich and a gulp of tea before asking, ‘So, do you have a first name, Nurse Farthing?’

She gulped. ‘Yes … it’s Holly.’

He held his hand out and she felt she had no choice but to shake it though she was very aware of people watching them.

‘I’m Richard. It’s nice to meet you, Holly. Have you been here long?’

She hastily explained that she merely worked part-time as she also had another job.