‘Dr Carlyle and a whole ward of shell shock patients? Sounds like my idea of hell.’ Dulcie took a bite of her biscuit. ‘The mentally disturbed patients give me the shivers, all those wobbly limbs and glassy eyes.’

‘They can’t help it. They’re ill.’

Dulcie brushed crumbs off the bib of her apron. ‘I suppose you’re going to volunteer to join this new ward?’

Grace turned away, blushing. ‘Oh, no. I don’t suppose Dr Carlyle would want me. I’m far too hopeless.’

Before Dulcie could reply, the door to the kitchen swung open. Thinking it was Sister, Dulcie thrust the teacup back at Grace, who promptly dropped it. It hit the tiled floor and shattered.

‘Oh, no!’ Grace stared down at the tiny fragments. ‘What am I going to do? That was Sister’s favourite cup. There’ll be murders over this. Quickly, help me clear it up …’

But Dulcie didn’t move. She was too transfixed by the vision standing in the kitchen doorway.

He was simply the most beautiful man she had ever seen in her life. Tall, dark-haired and immaculately dressed, even his horn-rimmed spectacles only seemed to emphasise his high cheekbones, perfect features and deep blue eyes.

‘Excuse me,’ he said, in a voice like melted chocolate. ‘I’m looking for Miss Sutton?’

Grace spoke up. ‘She’ll be in her sitting room, waiting for her afternoon tea.’ Dulcie felt the weight of her accusing gaze, but she didn’t care. All she could do was stare in silence at the man before her, taking in every perfect inch of him. ‘I’ll show you—’

‘No, I’ll show you.’ Dulcie found her voice at last. ‘You’d best clear up this mess,’ she said to Grace.

She led the way down the passageway and back to the ward. ‘Sister’s sitting room is on the other end of the ward, near the private rooms,’ she said.

‘Thanks. This place is like a rabbit warren, isn’t it? It’s taken me half an hour to find the right ward.’

He walked with a slight limp, Dulcie noticed.

‘I take it you’re not a patient?’ she said.

‘Good Lord, no. Although I suppose you could be forgiven for thinking that.’ He patted his leg. ‘My name is Robert Logan, and I’m the new doctor here.’

‘Oh!’ Dulcie’s heart skipped with delight. ‘That is good news. I mean – we’re a bit short of doctors at the moment. Ours keep enlisting.’

‘I’ve done my bit. I was invalided out six months ago. They decided I was more of a hindrance than a help with my gammy leg, so they sent me back to Civvy Street.’

As they headed down the ward, Dulcie was aware of Roger Wallace watching them. But she barely spared him a glance.

‘Well, here we are.’ She stopped at the door to Sister’s sitting room. ‘I’ll leave you here. Sister will go mad if I’m not polishing or scrubbing something.’

‘Thank you, Nurse—?’

‘Moore. Dulcie Moore.’ She could feel the heat rising in her face. She never blushed.