‘May I help you, miss?’ A uniformed desk clerk looked her up and down.

‘I – I’ve come to—’

‘Probationer nurses over there,’ he said impatiently.

‘No, you don’t understand.’

‘Take a seat, please, miss. You’ll be dealt with as soon as possible, and maybe if you’d come earlier you wouldn’t be in such a state.’ He pointed to a row of seats where a group of fresh-faced young women were seated.

Daisy gave up all attempts to explain and went to sit next to a dark-haired girl, who looked up and smiled at her.

‘Are you hoping to enrol on the nursing course?’

‘No … well, yes, maybe.’ Daisy glanced at the other applicants, all of whom looked to be calm and self-controlled, despite what they might be feeling inwardly.

‘I was inspired by Miss Nightingale.’ The girl held out her hand. ‘Minnie Cole from Hertfordshire.’

Daisy shook hands. ‘Daisy Marshall, lately from Essex, although I grew up not far from here. My brother is a doctor.’

‘And you wish to train as a nurse. How exciting.’

‘Miss Cole. Come this way, please.’ An efficient-looking nurse beckoned to Minnie, who jumped to her feet.

‘Wish me luck, Daisy. Wouldn’t it be fun if we were both accepted for training?’ She hurried off after the nurse and they disappeared into a side room.

Moments later another nurse, this time much younger and less formidable, stopped in front of Daisy. ‘What name is it?’

‘Daisy Marshall.’

‘I don’t seem to have you on my list.’

‘I won’t be on it, because I’ve only just arrived from the country.’

A flicker of sympathy crossed the nurse’s pretty face. ‘We’ve all started that way, Daisy. But there’s no need to be nervous. I can see that your clothes are soaking too. I’ll put you in next, or you might end up as a patient on the women’s ward.’ She chuckled and glided off to speak to the other applicants, who gave Daisy resentful glances, but did not dare challenge the nurse’s decision. Daisy decided to go along with the interview. After all, she needed to work and earn enough money to pay for her keep. Her dream of becoming a doctor would have to be put aside, but maybe one day women would be accepted into medical school. In any event she needed to find Toby or she might end up sleeping in a dosshouse.

After what seemed like a very long wait, Minnie Cole emerged from the room, smiling broadly. ‘I’ve been accepted. Good luck, Daisy.’

‘Thank you.’ Daisy managed a smile but she could see the stern nursing sister advancing on her and she knew that she must come to a decision quickly.

‘I’ve been told you haven’t filled in an application form, Miss Marshall.’

Daisy rose to her feet, fighting down a sudden feeling of panic. ‘Maybe I ought to do so now and try again later.’

The nurse looked her up and down with a critical eye. ‘No matter. You’re here now. Come this way.’