‘No. I promise you. It’s prompted by something in me, and I wanted to ask you a few questions. You see, I feel that I will go mad if I don’t do something. There is so much tugging at me. I wanted to ask you if you thought there was room in today’s world for someone who has masses of experience in nursing wounded and working as a theatre nurse, but no formal qualifications, and very little in the way of hospital-ward work?’

‘You! Eeh, Ella, are you sure? We all knaws what you’ve been through. Are you ready to face what we have to face on a day-to-day basis? It brings the horror of war home to you.’

‘I know it does. And yes, I’ve always found solace and lessened my problems by helping others.’

‘Eeh, I never looked at it like that. I just loved nursing, but aye, it does help you put things into perspective.’

‘It does, and in that I do agree that you would be better off back in the ward. Having said that, it is something I truly believe, and not something I was set up to say. Your mother has voiced her worries over you, but I don’t think she’d ever ask a virtual stranger to talk about that with you. Ha, I should watch out for your Aunt Mags, though – she might broach it.’

They giggled. ‘I have to watch out for them two all the time. They hatch many a plot to get me and me sis— Oh, I . . .’ Rosie drew in a massive breath.

‘It’s all right, Rosie. That shows they are still with you. Talking about them in everyday conversation will help you. I know how hard it is for you.’

Rosie swallowed. ‘It is. Oh, Ella. Me ma says she wants me to go to work, but I don’t knaw if she really does. How will she cope?’

‘I would say a lot better than you think, as she’ll know that at least one of her girls is all right.’

‘You’re making me see everything differently, Ella. I feel you understand.’

‘How about you ask to be transferred back to a hospital nearer here? You could come home when you want to, then.’

‘I’ve thought about that, as there’s another reason I don’t want to go back to Herne Bay.’

‘Oh, do you want to talk about it?’

‘I – I, yes, I do. But you will think less of me.’

‘Why should I? No matter what it is, I will understand. There’s not a situation you could tell me about that would shock me, but it may help you to get it off your chest.’

Rosie was quiet for a moment, then blurted out, ‘I fell in love with a German. I shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t help meself. It just happened. But . . . he died.’