‘You mustn’t tell him because it’s over and done with. I want you to promise that you won’t say a word.’

‘All right, if it means so much to you, I promise.’

‘It’s all so exciting,’ Minnie said dreamily. ‘I enjoyed reading Lady Audley’s Secret, but this is better by far. I wonder what will happen next, Daisy.’

‘Who knows? This is real life, Minnie.’

‘And I have to get back to work.’ Toby opened the door. ‘I’m on duty this weekend, but I’ll no doubt see you at the hospital on Monday, Daisy. We can arrange something then, after I’ve had a chance to speak to Nick. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes round to see you as soon as he knows that you’re in London.’ He stepped aside as Rex leaped off the sofa, but the cat walked past him and ambled out of the room in a leisurely fashion.

Later that evening, Daisy and Minnie were huddled round the embers of the fire in the parlour when they heard someone rapping on the front door.

‘I wonder if that’s your gentleman friend,’ Minnie said eagerly. ‘Best hurry, Daisy. If Mrs Wood gets there first he’ll be turned away with a flea in his ear.’

Daisy sprang to her feet and she could hear Nick’s voice as she opened the door. ‘It’s all right, Mrs Wood. Dr Neville is an old friend.’

‘No gentlemen callers after nine o’clock.’ Mrs Wood slammed the door in Nick’s face.

‘There was no need for that,’ Daisy said angrily. She pushed past the irate landlady and wrenched the door open. ‘Nick, wait.’ She stepped out onto the rain-soaked pavement. ‘I’m so sorry.’

He retraced his steps. ‘Your landlady is a fierce woman.’

‘I heard your voice but she forestalled me.’

‘Never mind that, Daisy. I’m just glad to see you.’

‘Miss Marshall, kindly shut the door.’ Mrs Wood’s stentorian tones made Daisy turn her head.

‘Just give me a minute, Mrs Wood.’

‘I’ll go,’ Nick said hastily. ‘Are you free tomorrow, Daisy?’

‘Step inside, Miss Marshall. I don’t want the neighbours to see you making a show of yourself.’

Daisy chose to ignore her. ‘Yes, Nick. I hadn’t planned to do anything in particular.’

‘I’ll call for you at ten o’clock. We can talk in private then.’ Nick tipped his hat to Mrs Wood, who was glaring at him over Daisy’s shoulder. ‘Good evening, ma’am.’ He winked at Daisy and strolled off into the darkness.

Daisy stepped back inside, closed the door and spun round to face Mrs Wood. ‘That was very rude. Surely you could see that Dr Neville is a respectable person?’

‘He’s a man,’ Mrs Wood snapped. ‘They’re all the same. You need to watch your step, young woman, or you’ll find yourself in trouble. You know what I mean.’

‘There’s no need to worry, ma’am. My nursing career comes first and foremost.’ Daisy was seething inwardly, but she needed a roof over her head, and at least Mrs Wood’s establishment was reasonably comfortable and cheap, even if the fearsome landlady was stingy when it came to home comforts. She shook the rain from her hair as she returned to the parlour, and was surprised to find that Minnie had company. Ivy was seated on the sofa next to a pretty young woman with flame-red hair and green eyes.