The letter seemed to bring out all his old fears, making him jittery and nervous.

‘We knew it was going to happen sometime,’ Anna tried to console him. ‘And Dr French has already said he’s recommending you for light duties. They’ll probably just give you a desk job somewhere.’

‘Yes, but it’s not that simple, is it?’ Edward snapped. His thumb worked at a scar on his knuckle, rubbing away at the reddened skin. ‘What if they decide to keep me in here?’ He looked around him. ‘I’m not sure I could stand it much longer, locked away with all the lunatics!’

Anna darted a quick look around her, hoping Miss Parker had not heard. ‘They won’t,’ she said. ‘You’re making good progress, aren’t you?’

‘So they say.’

‘And you haven’t had any more nightmares?’

‘Not that I can remember.’ He scraped at his knuckle with his thumbnail.

‘Well, then. They have no reason not to discharge you.’

‘I hope not.’ He looked up, meeting her eyes for the first time. ‘We’re supposed to be getting married this time next week.’

‘And we will,’ Anna said.

‘Yes, but—’

‘Edward Stanning, I’m marrying you next week even if we have to do it right here!’

He smiled reluctantly. ‘I can just see you walking down the ward in a white dress!’

‘I might ask Dr Logan to give me away!’

He sent her a cautious look. ‘You’d really do that?’

‘What, ask Dr Logan to walk me down the aisle?’

‘No! I mean – you’d marry me here? In the hospital?’

‘If I had to.’ Anna reached for his hand. ‘I let you get away from me once, Edward. I’m not letting it happen again.’

He grinned and pulled her hands, dragging her towards him. ‘Come here and give your husband-to-be a cuddle!’

‘Edward! We can’t, not here. What if Sister—’

He silenced her with a kiss, planting his lips firmly against hers. Anna gave in, giggling. From the other end of the ward, she heard Albie Sallis whooping encouragement.

‘Look at that, Gordon. Love’s young dream, eh?’

‘Nurse Beck!’ Sister’s strident Scottish tones rang down the hall. ‘What do you think you’re doing?’

Anna pulled herself from Edward’s embrace, straightening her cap. ‘I’m sorry, Sister.’

‘I should think so, too. I know it’s nearly Christmas, but surely that’s taking the season of goodwill too far?’

But her eyes were twinkling as she said it. Miss Parker was a good sport, unlike her friend Miss Sutton on Monaghan.

‘I’d better go,’ Anna whispered to Edward.

‘She won’t be able to stop us this time next week. We’ll be married and we can do as we please.’

The way he winked at her made Anna shiver with delight. ‘Let’s hope you’re not still in that hospital bed, then,’ she teased.

‘Minx! You’ve put all kinds of thoughts in my head now. I’ll probably have to take one of their wretched sedatives to get to sleep.’

‘At least you’ll have sweet dreams.’

As Anna was leaving, Edward said, ‘I wish I could see you tomorrow.’