‘Ah, Nurse Farthing.’ He paused when he spotted her and they entered the hospital together. ‘How are your new recruits doing?’ He always seemed so interested which made her feel special.

She was now in charge of each new batch of Red Cross nurses that started at the hospital and she enjoyed helping them settle in, although not all of them came up to scratch.

She grinned up at him thinking how handsome he looked. ‘Unfortunately one of the first lot didn’t last a day. She was asked to wheel a body to the morgue with one of the porters and she passed out.’

‘Oh dear!’ He grinned. ‘It’s not a job for the faint-hearted is it? And how are things at the shop?’

‘Busy as usual.’ She felt herself beginning to relax and wished that they could have stood there all day chatting. ‘And what about you? How are your studies going?’

‘I love it. I’m tired, but it’s so fascinating, and I’ve been getting quite a lot of practical experience.’ His eyes lit up as he spoke about his work, and Holly couldn’t help smiling back at him. She loved how dedicated and enthusiastic he was about his job. It was what made him such a good doctor. He paused for a moment when he saw her grin. ‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I do tend to go on a bit. My mum usually tells me to shut up if I’m boring her, and I give you permission to do the same.’

‘I don’t find it boring at all. In fact, I—’

A young nurse came hurtling towards them then, cutting her off before she could finish the sentence.

‘Dr Parkin, Mr McKenna says you’re to go and assist him in theatre as soon as ever you arrive. There’s been a traffic accident an’ he needs your assistance.’

He gave Holly an apologetic glance then he was gone like the wind and she sighed feeling suddenly miserable as she walked towards the children’s ward. This was another of her least favourite wards. She hated to see all the poorly children, although it was nice when she saw them go home.

When she got back to the flat that evening Ivy was out and Holly took that as a good sign. She must be feeling better, she thought as she started to prepare the evening meal.

Ivy meanwhile was striding purposefully towards Jeremy’s rooms, her face set in a grim line. She hadn’t seen him since the Friday before when he had again borrowed most of her wages. He had promised faithfully that he would see her last night but once more he hadn’t shown up at the café where they had agreed to meet to pay her back some of what he owed her. Well, he will tonight when I tell him me news, she thought to herself, her heart in her throat. Half of her wanted to turn and run back to Holly to tell her what a bloody little fool she’d been. But she’d got herself into this mess and now she would have to get herself out of it.