‘Talking of tripping the light fantastic,’ Dr Logan changed the subject, ‘are you going to this wedding?’

Grace nodded. ‘Are you?’

‘I’m the best man.’

‘I didn’t realise Roger – I mean, Dr Wallace – was such a friend of yours?’

Dr Logan looked rueful. ‘To be honest, I scarcely know the chap. But I get the impression that most of his friends have been called up, so I was the only one available. The last man standing, as it were. It’s a bit awkward, really. I haven’t been very sociable since I came to the Nightingale, so I don’t think I’ll know anyone at this wedding.’

‘You know me,’ Grace said.

Dr Logan swung round to face her. ‘Would you go with me?’ he asked.

‘I—’

‘It would make such a difference if I had someone I knew by my side. Someone I felt comfortable with.’

‘I can’t,’ Grace blurted out. ‘I’m engaged.’

Dr Logan’s features froze. ‘You’re – engaged?’ he repeated slowly.

‘Yes. So, you see, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to go with you?’

‘No. No, I see that.’ He looked lost. ‘I – I’m sorry, Nurse Duffield. I didn’t mean to offend you. I would never have suggested it if I—’ His voice trailed off. His face was suffused with colour.

‘Why don’t you ask Dulcie?’ Grace said.

‘Dulcie – oh, you mean Nurse Moore?’

‘I’m sure she would love to go with you,’ Grace said encouragingly.

‘Right. Yes.’ He went on staring at her. Behind his spectacles his blue eyes were clouded with confusion. ‘Engaged, you say?’

Grace gave an embarrassed laugh. ‘Is it that hard to believe, Doctor?’

‘No!’ His colour deepened. ‘Not at all. I just thought – but it doesn’t matter.’

She had done the right thing, Grace thought, as she watched him hurrying away from her down the ward. Thank God for Dulcie, setting her straight before she made an utter fool of herself.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

‘Any headaches?’ the doctor said.

‘Sometimes.’

‘Lethargy? Depression?’

‘Yes.’

‘Insomnia?’

Anna looked back at him across the desk as he scribbled his notes. Only if you count the hours I’ve lain awake waiting for my husband to come home.

‘Yes,’ she said.

She shouldn’t be here, she thought. She had only come because Edward had said she must.

‘You’re not yourself,’ he’d said. He was in one of his solicitous moods. It always astonished Anna how he could swing from cruelty to kindness, almost as if he was deliberately trying to unbalance her. ‘You need to go to the doctor, get something for your nerves.’

He had been so loving, so concerned, that for a moment Anna had almost believed he truly cared.

‘And how is everything at home?’ the doctor asked.

‘What?’ Anna stared at him, startled. It was almost as if he had read her thoughts.

The doctor looked up at her, his eyes kindly behind his spectacles. ‘I know it can be very difficult, looking after a home and family under the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Would you say you are under particular strain?’