‘We don’t know. One of the nurses found her wandering around early this morning. She thought she must be a patient. It took us some time to figure out that she wasn’t, dressed as she was and so obviously disoriented.’

When Diana had given Dr Pilton the medical particulars, she explained that, in fact, she cared for Constance in her own home. She’d like to stay with Constance now and perhaps, when she woke, it might be best to take her home. Diana let the young intern raise objections, but, when she didn’t counter them, he relented enough to say he would consider it. Diana had rarely had to challenge other people’s authority to maintain her own.

Back in the waiting room, Diana reassured Jill and sent her back to her office or perhaps back home to deal with another distraught lover. Then she phoned David who said he would stay around and make himself some lunch.

Finally Diana was free to go to Constance and stay with her. As she sat down on the small, straight, uncomfortable chair which had been put by Constance’s bed, Diana realized how exhausted she was. Move over, love, she thought to Constance, I’m getting too old for this. We all are.

Diana’s head dropping forward jarred her awake to Constance’s open, beautiful eyes watching her.

‘I haven’t any idea where we are,’ Constance said, ‘but you’re here.’

‘How long have you been awake?’

‘I don’t know.’

Diana looked at her watch. It was 3.30 p.m.

‘How do you feel?’

‘As if I’d been slipped a mickey.’

‘You wandered off early this morning and turned up here—we’re in the General—no one knows just how. Probably someone brought you here.’

‘Not even your hospital,’ Constance said wryly.

What odd bits of information floated up to the surface of her mind.

‘There’s some talk about leaving you here for observation. But, my hospital or not, I’m going to see if I can spring you.’

‘Nothing easier,’ Constance said. ‘We can just walk out.’

‘I don’t think it’s a good idea to make a habit of that.’

Constance had sat up and swung her feet out of bed, making a jaunty show of her mobility. There was a large bruise on her right ankle.

‘Where are my clothes?’

‘You went out in what you’ve got on.’

‘All the easier then,’ Constance said. ‘Not even any slippers?’

‘If you had them, you lost them.’

‘You know, if I didn’t know you were a nearly reprehensibly honest person, I’d find it hard to believe some of the things you tell me.’

‘Well, try standing up,’ Diana suggested.

‘I’m a bit stiff,’ Constance said, ‘and a bit light-headed. But there’s nothing wrong with me.’