‘I just can’t believe she would take her own life,’ Matron insisted. ‘She might not have been compassionate, but she was tough, she was used to life’s knocks; even the police officer who broke the news of Edith’s suspected suicide said she had suffered terrible hardship at her mother’s hands.’ Looking sad, Matron sighed. ‘It gives me a bit of satisfaction knowing that Edith was seemingly a little happier in the lead-up to her leaving. Can you believe that her mother actually told the policeman that Edith had killed herself just to spite her? Imagine anybody saying such a wicked thing when they had just been informed of their daughter’s death?’

Thinking of her sweet blue-eyed daughter, Ada shivered at the thought.

‘No, I certainly cannot,’ she exclaimed.

Wanting to rouse her friend from her painful reverie, Ada helped her to her feet, after which she faced Matron square on.

‘Listen, dearest Ann,’ she urged, ‘the best thing we can do now is to pray for Edith’s immortal soul.’

Knowing this was the language that Sister Ann understood, she waited for the nun’s troubled eyes to clear.

‘You’re right, Ada, absolutely right,’ Matron replied with a weak smile. ‘Life goes on.’

‘It certainly does,’ Ada agreed. ‘But before you get down on your knees, I’d like you to inspect my uniform – is it up to scratch for my first day at work?’ Ada asked, as she turned a full circle for Matron’s benefit.

‘You look wonderful,’ Sister Ann said, as she embraced Ada. ‘We’ve missed you more than words can say – it’s such a relief to have you back. And where is that darling baby of yours?’ she asked, suddenly brightening up. ‘Is she with Dora?’

Knowing that a quick visit to the nursery would do Matron the world of good, Ada nodded. ‘Indeed, she is. Why don’t you run along there and welcome the latest little recruit back to Mary Vale?’

‘I most certainly will,’ Matron answered, as she bustled off down the corridor.

Ada fondly watched Matron go, then turned her attention to the urgency of the here and now. All but a couple of the residents that she had previously nursed would have left by now, their places taken by the constant flow of new arrivals whom she needed to get to know immediately. Ada knew better than anybody how important it was to spend time with each patient, familiarizing herself with their backgrounds and medical history, helping them build up relationships with the other women in the Home, and encouraging them to join her exercise and breathing classes, which she planned to reinstate now that she was back on the job.

Entering the post-natal ward, Ada’s heart gave a happy little flip of excitement; smiling, confident and happy, she made her way along the line of beds, calling as she went, ‘Good-morning, and how are we today?’