‘She wasn’t at all happy. She said I shouldn’t get involved in patients’ affairs, but when I told her of the children’s plight she said I could have two days off.’

‘She must think a lot of you to agree to such a thing.’

‘I was expecting her to refuse, but then I would have had to resign. I can’t leave those poor children alone in that terrible place. I’m going there now and I just hope their landlord isn’t around.’

‘Have you seen Toby yet? I know he’s been on night duty for nearly a month, but I’m sure he’d go with you if you managed to wake him.’

‘I knocked on his door before I came here, but there was no response. Toby always did sleep heavily.’

‘Have you enough money for the railway tickets?’

Daisy bit her lip. She hated asking for a loan, but these were exceptional circumstances. ‘Actually, I’m afraid I was going to impose on your good nature.’

‘Nonsense. That’s what friends are for. Take what you need from the pouch. I’ll make up the difference next time I return home.’

‘Thank you, Nick. You’re a true friend.’ Daisy rose to her feet. ‘I’m sorry I interrupted your consultations.’

‘I’ve always got time for you, Daisy.’ He pushed back his chair and stood up. ‘But I’d like to take you out to tea on Sunday, if you’re free.’

‘I’d like that, although a picnic in Hyde Park would be nice, and it would cost less.’

‘Has anyone ever told you what a remarkable person you are, Daisy?’

‘Yes, often,’ she said, laughing. ‘Only Jonah Sawkins doesn’t count, and anyway he’s got his sights set on Ivy, poor girl.’

Nick opened the door and followed her into the waiting room. ‘Do I know the fellow?’

‘No,’ she said firmly. ‘And you don’t want to.’ She was suddenly aware that two elegantly dressed ladies, seated on gilded chairs amongst potted palms, were staring curiously at them. ‘Thank you, Doctor,’ Daisy added in a more formal tone. ‘I’ll recommend you to all my friends and acquaintances. Good morning.’ She managed to keep a straight face until she stepped out onto the pavement, and she was still giggling as she climbed into the hansom cab and instructed the driver to take her to Green Dragon Street.

Despite the fact that the children were terrified by the great iron beast of a steam engine when it roared into the station, the rest of the journey to Little Creek was reasonably easy. The little ones slept for most of the time and Judy gazed out of the window, crying out excitedly at the sight of green fields dotted with woolly white sheep and cows placidly munching the grass. It had not occurred to Daisy that a child born and bred in the city might never have seen farm animals, but Judy was clearly enchanted by everything she saw. As luck would have it Grace Peabody was travelling on the same train and she pounced on Daisy, demanding to know everything from the time Daisy had left Creek Cottage until the moment she spotted her handing out buns to the children.