Janet was at the reception desk, trying to find an appointment for a patient. ‘Flora has had a cancellation so she can see him straight away, Mrs Gregg,’ she was saying. ‘I’ll put you in with her. If she thinks Harry should see a doctor urgently, she’ll arrange it.’

Looking anxious, Mrs Gregg took Harry by the hand and led him to the chairs in the waiting room.

Flora walked up to the desk. ‘Problems?’

‘Just the one problem. People don’t want to book in with Conner.’ Janet sighed and rubbed her fingers over her forehead. ‘I can’t believe that Logan has done this to us in the middle of summer. His afternoon surgery is bursting at the seams and how many does Conner have? Two people.’

‘Two? That’s all?’

‘No one wants to see him, Flora.’ Janet looked exhausted. ‘I’m sure he’s a very good doctor, but all anyone round here remembers is a boy with a lot of problems. They don’t trust him.’

Remembering what Logan had said to her, Flora straightened her shoulders. ‘His qualifications are excellent.’

‘Well, maybe he’d like to put them above my desk in neon lights.’

‘It’s only his first day. People will settle down,’ Flora said firmly, hoping that she was right. ‘I thought the women, at least, would be queuing up.’

‘I’m sure they will, but not for his medical skills,’ Janet said dryly. ‘If Logan was looking for help, I think he was looking in the wrong place. Anyway, the Greggs are back from holiday and Harry isn’t well. He has a rash and Diane is worried. Your first patient has cancelled so I’ve put them in with you. If you’re worried, perhaps you can persuade them to see Conner, but I don’t hold out much hope.’

‘Leave it with me. If you see Logan can you tell him that I popped in to see Helen and she was fine?’ Flora walked to the waiting area. Harry was sitting on his mother’s lap and his eyes were closed.

‘Hello, Nurse Harris.’ Diane gave her a tired smile. ‘Janet said you might fit us in.’

‘Of course.’ Flora touched the little boy’s forehead with a gentle hand. ‘He’s very hot.’

‘I’ve spent the past two nights trying to bring his temperature down.’ Diane clearly hadn’t slept for days and her face was pale and drawn. ‘But it’s the rash that’s really worrying me. It’s spreading.’

‘I’ll take a look.’

The woman gave her a grateful smile and gently eased Harry onto the floor. ‘You’re too big for Mummy to carry now,’ she murmured, taking his hand. ‘Just walk as far as the consulting room, then you can sit down again.’

Harry murmured a protest but trotted along the corridor towards Flora’s consulting room.