Sarah wondered if she was going to be questioned further – about her claim to be the professor’s employee or why the doctor had seen fit to send her – but Miss Peat merely waited for her to be seated and then offered her a cup of tea.

Sarah declined the refreshment but took it to be a favourable sign. Miss Peat manoeuvred herself out from behind her desk, poured herself a cup from a large brown enamel teapot and sat down in a chair opposite. She took a sip of her tea and waited for Sarah to speak.

Sarah wondered where to start and decided it might be prudent to keep the details of her quest to a minimum.

‘I am seeking some information regarding a nurse whom I believe used to work here. Her name is Mary Dempster.’

Miss Peat’s teacup stopped halfway to her mouth. She placed it down upon the saucer calmly, but it was obvious that the very mention of the name had unsettled her.

‘What kind of information do you require?’ she asked, trying just a little too hard to appear unperturbed.

‘It is of a sensitive nature. I am curious as to whether there were any disciplinary issues, or whether any matters regarding this nurse’s conduct ever gave you concern.’

‘I run a tight ship here, Mrs Banks. It would be inappropriate to discuss disciplinary issues with a member of the public.’

‘There were disciplinary issues, then?’

Miss Peat took another sip of tea, allowing herself a moment before she responded.

‘As I said, it would be improper to answer that question in discussion with someone who has just walked in off the street.’

Sarah feared this was as far as it would go. She could tell Miss Peat had a fierce sense of propriety, as necessarily fastidious about her position as she was about the cleanliness of her hospital. Nonetheless, there was a hint of regret in her demeanour, a distinct sense of conflict within.

Sarah was inspired to persevere, realising that there was a way to make that very propriety work in her favour.

‘I appreciate your discretion, Miss Peat,’ she said. ‘However, were I to inform you that I was perhaps enquiring as a prospective employer of Mary Dempster, as someone possibly intending to take her into my household …’

Miss Peat nodded eagerly. ‘Then I would be duty bound to tell you of the grave reservations I would have about you employing someone I had cause to dismiss.’

‘Let us imagine, then, that I am indeed making such an enquiry.’

Miss Peat’s gaze flicked left and right, as though she suspected there were other eyes upon them.