Seated beside Nick in the trap, Daisy accompanied him to the Harkers’ imposing house on the headland. The interior was even more impressive than the exterior, and Daisy looked around in awe at the elegant furnishings and priceless antiques as she followed Nick and the housekeeper upstairs to the sickroom. Nick examined each of the girls in turn, but even to Daisy’s eyes it was obvious that they were very ill.

‘What will we do?’ Mrs Jones wept openly. ‘If anything happens to the young ladies I’ll be held responsible.’

‘They ought to be in an isolation hospital, but the nearest is St Mary’s in Colchester,’ Nick said thoughtfully. ‘I think the journey might be too much for the young ladies.’

Daisy drew him aside. ‘Nick, this may be the answer you’re looking for.’

He stared at her, frowning. ‘What do you mean?’

‘You wanted to turn Creek Hall into a cottage hospital, but you lacked the funds. This might be the ideal opportunity, and it could save the girls’ lives.’

‘But Creek Hall isn’t set up to receive patients, especially ones who are critically ill.’

‘You have plenty of rooms, and I’m sure that Mrs Bee and Dove would be willing to make them ready to receive patients.’

He shook his head. ‘But a hospital, even a small one, needs nursing staff. You know how much hard work goes into running a hospital ward.’

‘Yes, I do, and I might not be fully qualified, but I know how a ward is run and I’d be prepared to move in, if necessary.’ Daisy thought quickly. ‘Then there’s Mary Fox, she might be glad of the work and she’s had experience nursing her husband.’

‘I understand what you’re saying, Daisy, but it isn’t as simple as that. The house has to be kept spotlessly clean and Mrs Bee couldn’t manage to feed everyone on her own.’

‘I’m sure Hilda could help Mrs Bee in the kitchen as well as keeping an eye on the children, and she would work even harder than an able-bodied person. Besides which, there must be women in the village who would do the more menial tasks and be glad of the income.’ Daisy glanced round at the expensively furnished bedroom, and the dressing table laden with cut-glass trinket pots and a silver-backed brush and comb set. ‘I’m certain that the colonel would pay handsomely for his daughters’ care.’

Mrs Jones cleared her throat noisily. ‘I couldn’t help overhearing, sir. I handle the housekeeping while the mistress is away, but I know she and the colonel wouldn’t count the cost when it comes to their daughters’ welfare. I’ve done my best to look after them, Doctor, but I simply can’t cope with them in this state.’

‘Of course not, Mrs Jones. You’ve done your best, but the ladies need constant nursing.’

‘I’m most grateful, sir.’

Nick packed his stethoscope into his medical bag. ‘There’s one thing that puzzles me, Mrs Jones. The source of the infection seems to be fairly obvious in the light of Dr Snow’s findings, but have you any idea how the young ladies might have come in contact with the disease? They seem to lead a sheltered life here at Four Winds.’