Far better to avoid it completely, if she could.

‘Do you have another appointment, Nurse?’ Captain Jeffers was smiling at her across the table. He always seemed out of place among the other patients, with his sleek fair hair and handsome looks. ‘You’ve been staring at that clock on and off ever since we arrived,’ he said. ‘I wondered if you had somewhere else to go?’

‘No, I don’t.’ Not anymore. Dulcie dragged her gaze away from the clock.

‘I don’t blame you for wanting to leave,’ Captain Jeffers said. ‘I’d go if I could. It’s all rather tedious, isn’t it? I could do without everyone staring, too. Still, it can’t be helped, can it? I suppose we do look rather a sideshow.’ He gave a dry smile. ‘Christ knows why they made us wear these wretched hospital badges. I should imagine we’d be rather easy to spot without them, shouldn’t you?’

Dulcie glanced up to the other end of the table, where Albie Sallis was talking nineteen to the dozen as usual. He was deep in conversation with Dr Logan while his friend Gordon sat beside him, trembling like a spaniel in a thunderstorm. Grace was with them, holding Gordon’s hand.

‘Do you think they’re a couple?’ Captain Jeffers asked.

Dulcie laughed. ‘Duffield and Private Gordon? I shouldn’t think so.’

‘No, silly. I mean her and the good doctor.’

‘No!’

‘Why not? He obviously likes her.’

‘No, he doesn’t. How can you say that?’

‘My dear Nurse Moore, I’ve spent months on that ward watching them. Believe me, I can tell. And you can see for yourself how close they are. I do believe Dr Logan trusts to Nurse Duffield’s opinion more than he does Sister’s.’

Dulcie turned back to study them at the other end of the table. As far as she could see, they scarcely seemed aware of each other.

‘I think you’re wrong,’ she said. ‘Anyway, Nurse Duffield is engaged to someone else.’

As soon as the words were out she knew she shouldn’t have said them. Grace had sworn her to secrecy.

‘Is she now?’ Captain Jeffers looked intrigued. ‘I wonder if Dr Logan knows that?’

‘You mustn’t tell anyone,’ Dulcie pleaded.

Captain Jeffers’ eyebrows rose. ‘That sounds rather intriguing.’

‘Please, don’t.’

‘Oh, don’t worry, I’m not going to say a word. I probably won’t be around for much longer, anyway.’

‘Oh? Why’s that?’

‘I’m being boarded next week.’ He blew a thin stream of smoke into the air. ‘I daresay I’ll be back on the boat to France soon.’

‘Not necessarily.’

‘What reason do they have to discharge me? As you can see, I’m perfectly fit. And thanks to the wonders of Dr Logan, I’ve recovered fairly well mentally, too.’ He shook his head. ‘No, I’m almost certain the Medical Board will send me back to the Front as soon as they can. God knows, they’re running out of men over there. The buggers will keep dying!’

His face was bitter as he took another long drag on his cigarette.