‘Well, you’re not much use then, are you?’ Mrs Wood slammed out of the room, taking the plate of cake with her.

Daisy looked at Toby and they doubled up with laughter. They were still convulsed when Minnie rushed into the room.

‘What did you say to Mrs Wood? She’s fuming.’

Toby wiped his eyes on a slightly grubby hanky. ‘She took exception to being told that I can’t treat her privately and she must attend the hospital outpatient department.’

‘Trust her to want something for nothing.’ Minnie sat down to pour the tea. ‘Did I see cake on the plate she had in her hand?’

‘She took it away.’ Daisy glanced anxiously at Rex. ‘I wish she’d left the cake and taken her cat with her.’

Minnie handed her a cup of tea. ‘Don’t touch the brute. He’s vicious, but if you want to stay in Mrs Wood’s good books you’d better pretend to like him.’

‘I prefer dogs, myself,’ Toby said casually. ‘Anyway, Daisy, you’re going to join us in the hospital. I hope you’re prepared for hard work. You’ll see things that will be very distressing.’

‘I’ll do my best,’ Daisy said stoutly. ‘I can’t say fairer than that.’

‘We’ll help each other.’ Minnie was about to take a seat next to Daisy on the sofa, but Rex chose that moment to stretch and his claws were out. Minnie moved to a chair by the fire. ‘That animal thinks he owns the place.’

‘You girls must come round to my lodgings.’ Toby stared into his cup. ‘This tea looks like dishwater. As I was saying, you’ll find it more pleasant spending an evening with us.’

‘Who are you lodging with?’ Daisy inched away from Rex, who was threatening to take up the entire sofa.

‘With Nick at the moment, although he’s moving to Harley Street in a day or two.’

‘It’s a long way to Harley Street.’

‘Yes, that’s why he’s going to live above the shop, so to speak. He’s saving every penny in an attempt to raise the money to pay off the squire, although at the rate he’s going it will take him twenty years or more.’

Daisy shook her head. ‘Squire Tattersall has a lot to answer for.’

Toby placed his cup and saucer back on the tray. ‘That was truly the worst tea I’ve ever tasted.’ He rose to his feet. ‘It’s good to see you, Daisy, but I have to go now because I’m on duty again in half an hour.’

She jumped up and gave him a hug. ‘Perhaps we can all meet up for a meal somewhere cheap.’

‘I suppose that includes Nick?’

‘I’d like to see him.’

‘Of course, and he’ll be keen to see you, too, Daisy. He’s always talking about you and the way you tried to help him.’

‘Anyone would have done the same.’

Toby kissed her on the forehead. ‘No, they wouldn’t, Daisy. Your attempt to fool the squire was a mad idea in the first place, but if Nick finds out what it’s cost you personally he’ll be devastated.’