‘Well, she doesn’t have an easy life. My father works as a farm labourer, so they’re forever moving from place to place, taking whatever jobs he can get. And when he can’t find work, she has to take in washing and sewing to make ends meet. It’s such a hard, horrible life for her.’

‘Is she unhappy?’

‘Oh, no, she seems quite content. At least, she says she is. But I don’t see how she can be, when they’re living hand to mouth.’ Nurse Moore was pummelling away at his shoulder, taking out all her pent-up anger on his muscles. ‘The point is, she could have done better for herself. She was a vicar’s daughter, very well brought up. She could have married a curate and been living in a comfortable rectory now, instead of the muddy, stinking little hovels my father provides for her.’

‘And you want better than that for yourself?’

‘Of course. Who wouldn’t?’ Nurse Moore shook her head. ‘I’m not going to make the same mistakes she did, that’s for sure.’

They both fell silent for a while. While Nurse Moore continued her massage, Sam fought an inner battle with himself.

Don’t say anything. He had promised himself he wouldn’t reveal anything about himself, he wouldn’t be like the other men, handing round photographs of their loved ones and sharing their letters from home. The less anyone knew about him, the better.

And yet, the words bubbled inside him, fighting to get out.

‘My wife was like your mother,’ he said finally. ‘She was a teacher at the local village school when I met her. I suppose she thought she would marry someone with an education, who would bring her up in the world. But she met me.’

‘You’re married?’ Nurse Moore said.

‘I was. She died a year before I was called up.’

‘Did you have any children?’

Sam paused for a long time. He had already given away far too much about himself.

‘Three,’ he said reluctantly. ‘Two boys and a girl. Have you finished yet?’ he demanded impatiently, before she had a chance to ask any more questions. He couldn’t talk about his children. Even thinking about them was painful enough. If he had to say their names …

Nurse Moore looked taken aback. ‘Yes, I have.’

Sam watched her in silence as she gathered up her towels and oil, and helped him back into his gown.

As she walked away, he said, ‘You forgot this.’

Nurse Moore looked down at the magazine he was holding out to her. She hesitated for a moment, then snatched it out of his hand, covered it with a cloth and put it on the trolley.

He watched her walking away and smiled to himself. You had to admire Dulcie Moore’s determination, if nothing else.

Poor Dr Logan, thought Sam. He had no idea what was about to hit him.

CHAPTER TWENTY

On Christmas Eve, Edward received official notification that he was to go before a Medical Board the following week.