‘That was amazing, Rosie. Well done, you. And you look so much better now.’

‘Aye, with the smell of the baking and the Scottish music, I felt as though I were at home, and it felt good.’

‘You need some leave, Rosie. I’m going to tackle Sister about it. It’s as Kath says: it ain’t so bad for us as live around here, or in London, as I do. Freda can go home every night, and I can every time I have a day off. But you can’t, and it ain’t right. Leave has been cancelled for too long.’

As Rosie went on-duty, leave was the last thing on her mind. Albie had worsened, and now there was a fear for his life. Checking all of his vital signs further worried her. Putting her hand out, she stroked his blond hair from his burning forehead, leaving her hand resting there for a moment as she gazed down at him. Her love for him flowed from her.

Albie opened his eyes, his long eyelashes brushing his high cheekbones. ‘N – Nurse Rosie?’

‘Aye, it’s me. I’m here, Albie, and I’ll not leave you. Fight, Albie – get well. You can, you knaw. It sometimes only takes willpower, naw matter what we do. I’ll not give up on you.’

‘R – Rosie, I – I have the letter. For . . . my Mutter.’

‘You’ll not need that. You’ll see your mother again, Albie, and you can tell her what you want to say. This war will end, and you’ll go home, I promise.’

‘Nein, Rosie. I – I’m . . . fertig.’

Rosie didn’t fully understand, but thought Albie was telling her that he was finished. Usually an excellent English speaker, in his illness he was reverting to his native tongue.

‘Naw, you’re only done if you give up. Fight, Albie.’

His eyes closed. Rosie did her medical checks again, frantic for them to tell her that he wasn’t entering the last phase of his life, and then sighed with relief as they showed a slight improvement. ‘Sleep, Albie. Rest easy. You’ll see your Mutter – you will.’

An hour later, after checking him a further time, Albie showed signs that his fever was deepening, as sweat stood out on his forehead. Fetching lukewarm water, Rosie began to wash him down, to try to cool him and make him more comfortable. Sister looked in at that point. ‘How’s he faring, Nurse?’

‘His temperature is very high, Sister. I’m trying to cool him.’

‘Open the window. I’d fetch a fan, but they are all in use.’