‘Mrs Banks and I have elsewhere discovered that some of the claims made in these letters are baseless. What we don’t have is a first-hand account, which is what may be necessary for this issue to be … laid to rest.’

Raven had searched momentarily for a different phrase, before judging these words the most effective.

Dr Johnstone sipped from his whisky, eyes glazed, almost as though he had forgotten Raven was present. Then he seemed to come back into the moment.

‘I have worked in this city a long time. I know the game they are playing,’ he said. His voice was low, tinged with weariness and not a little anger. ‘Every time they write about this, they make it sound worse, and I know they will wring it out for every last drop it might shed. The reason I have not written to the papers already is out of concern that my own testimony would not be credited by these individuals. I have nothing but gratitude for Dr Simpson’s kind attention, and like him it was my intention to maintain a dignified silence, but nonetheless putting my account on record might be the only way to draw a line under it.’

When he eyed Raven again, his expression was softer.

‘I confess, the other reason I have been reluctant is that my involvement was limited. I entrusted my wife’s care to Dr Simpson and to the nurse I employed.’

Raven thought of the disdain with which Dr Johnstone had just referred to Sarah and to women’s grasp of medical matters. He couldn’t see how this sat with him handing the care of his wife to a nurse when he was a doctor himself.

These reflections must have been more legible upon his face than he intended, for Dr Johnstone looked at him with an expression that was challenging yet sincere, and said: ‘You are asking yourself why I delegated such duties to a nurse when I am a medical man.’

Raven thought it unwise to deny it, and best to say nothing.

‘You are not long qualified, are you, Dr Raven?’

‘No, sir.’

‘And nor, I would wager, have you children or a wife.’

‘No, I have neither.’

‘When you do, pray that you are never required to treat them. It is not done. One’s judgment is utterly askew, confused at every turn by emotion. Every doctor encounters a sense of helplessness on occasion, an absolute impotence as circumstances overtake one’s knowledge and ability. Now imagine the magnitude of that helplessness when it is with regard to the health, to the life, of the one you love the most.’

Raven nodded solemnly, acknowledging his understanding.