‘We knew it could happen at any time, Nurse.’

‘Yes, but he seemed so well.’ She looked up. ‘Do you think it had anything to do with Private Gordon leaving?’

The same thought had occurred to Florence, too, but she kept her expression bland. ‘In what way, Nurse?’

‘I’m not sure – it was just something he said to me, the day Gordon left. About not having a purpose anymore.’ She chewed her lip. ‘I wonder if he felt he had outlived his usefulness once he didn’t have to take care of his friend.’

Miss Parker considered the question. ‘I think it may more likely be the other way around, Nurse,’ she said at last. ‘It’s possible that Corporal Sallis only stayed alive because of Private Gordon. He was in a great deal of pain, although he didn’t like to show it. Perhaps he felt, with Gordon gone, he could finally be at rest?’

Grace was silent for a moment, and Florence could see her taking this in.

‘I hope so,’ she said finally. ‘He was very brave, wasn’t he, Sister?’

‘Yes, he was.’ Miss Parker took off her spectacles and wiped them on her apron. Goodness, she must be going soft in her old age, she thought. She had no idea what the other ward sisters would make of her, shedding a tear over a patient. Let alone allowing a humble nurse to take tea in her private sitting room.

But then, Florence Parker had always prided herself on being different from the others. She liked to think she was more modern and forward-thinking in her ways.

And besides, she had a soft spot for Grace Duffield. She was one of Miss Parker’s best nurses, and yet she was so often overlooked by everyone.

She left Grace sipping her tea and went outside to supervise the laying out of Corporal Sallis. She was glad she had not allowed Grace to perform last offices; no matter how brave and committed she was, it would have been a task too far for her.

As she emerged from behind the curtains, Dr Logan was waiting for her. He looked towards the curtains, then back at her.

‘Is he—?’

Miss Parker shook her head.

He swallowed hard. ‘When?’

‘Just over an hour ago.’

‘Do you want me to do anything?’

‘There’s no need, Doctor. Dr Carlyle has already issued the death certificate.’

He was silent for a moment. Then he seemed to remember something.

‘Where’s Grace – I mean Nurse Duffield?’

Miss Parker decided to ignore this slip. ‘Nurse Duffield is in my sitting room. I’m afraid Corporal Sallis’ death has hit her rather hard.’

‘I can imagine.’ Dr Logan looked towards her sitting-room door, then back at Miss Parker. ‘Perhaps I could go and see her?’ he ventured.

She saw the wariness in his eyes. He was waiting for her to say no, to bridle at the impropriety of his suggestion. It was a strict rule of the hospital that nurses were not allowed to be alone with men, even doctors.