The doctor smiled briefly. ‘I can see you’re tired so I shall leave you to get some rest.’ He put the tablet bottle back on the bedside table. ‘Start taking these and you might begin to feel better.’

William picked up the bottle and gave it a shake. ‘Daresay they won’t make a difference.’

Bidding his patient goodbye, Doctor Palmer went out on to the landing where he found Annie hovering by the top of the stairs. He walked over to her, a look of mild concern on his face. ‘Hello, Annie, I was wondering if I might have a quiet word?’

Annie glanced at the door of her employer’s bedroom.

Doctor Palmer followed her gaze. ‘Don’t worry about Mr Campbell, he’s catching up on his rest.’

Annie nodded. ‘Best make it quick, mind, as I’ve a pile of ironing to do.’

He eyed her keenly. ‘I was wondering if you’d noticed any changes in Mr Campbell, apart from his cough?’

She pulled a face. ‘Not really, although his temper hasn’t got any better. He’s a lot quicker to fly off the handle than he used to be, his memory’s gettin’ worse and he’s allus accusing me of doing summat I shouldn’t have.’

He cocked an eyebrow. ‘Like what?’

She looked slightly awkward. ‘I’m not sure I feel comfortable talking about Mr Campbell behind his back.’

The doctor smiled reassuringly. ‘Whatever you say to me will be treated in the strictest confidence.’

Annie appeared to be wrestling with her conscience, before giving in. ‘Silly things, like saying I’ve put too much sugar in his tea or that his food tastes funny and I’ve put summat in it I shouldn’t have. He’s even accused me of makin’ him ill so that he can’t go back to the factory. It’s ridiculous, of course, but quite hurtful too, because I wouldn’t do that.’

‘I’m sure you wouldn’t. Mr Campbell’s used to controlling everything from his business to his home life; it can’t be easy having someone else in charge. My main concern is his refusal to take his medication, because without that, he may never get better, so could you please ensure he takes his tablets, even if you have to crush them up and hide them in his food. It’s imperative we get them in his system one way or another.’

She paused for a moment before answering. ‘I’ll try my best.’

‘Thank you, Annie.’ He hesitated. ‘I think it better that Mr Campbell’s condition doesn’t become common knowledge, so perhaps keep it under your hat?’

Annie drew the sign of the cross over her left breast with one finger. ‘You can trust me, doctor, I won’t tell a soul.’