Somewhat reluctantly Daisy followed her into a tiny office furnished with a single desk, and two chairs.

‘I am Sister Johnson, in charge of the student nurses.’ She sat down, motioning Daisy to follow suit. ‘Fill in this form giving your personal details.’ She indicated an inkstand and pen. ‘And you’ll need a character reference. Have you been in employment before?’

‘Yes, I was a governess.’ Daisy wrote her name and her brother’s address on the sheet of paper, and brief details of her education at the private school before handing it back.

Miss Johnson read it, raising an eyebrow as she looked up at Daisy. ‘And why did you leave your employment?’

‘My charge was sent to boarding school and I was no longer needed.’

‘Why did you not apply for another such position?’

‘I’ve spent the last two months in the country, living with my aunt and uncle in a small village near the coast. I’ve seen great poverty and how the lack of proper medical treatment affects people. It made me realise that I could do something to help.’

‘Very laudable, but it sounds to me as if the residents need a good doctor. Presumably there is a local midwife?’

‘Yes, an old drunken woman who is totally unreliable, and because of that I was put in the position of helping a woman to give birth even though I had absolutely no experience in the matter.’

‘And how did you feel about that?’

‘Terrified, but somehow a healthy baby was delivered and is now thriving. The good people of Little Creek suffer enough at the hands of a ruthless landlord, and the very least they should have is someone to take care of them when they fall ill.’

Sister Johnson made a note on the piece of paper. She looked up, her piercing grey eyes holding Daisy’s gaze. ‘Can you give me the name of someone who will give you a reference?’

Daisy thought quickly. She did not want anything to do with the Carrington family and she had no wish to see Julian again. ‘My brother is a doctor here, Sister. He will vouch for me.’

‘Toby Marshall is your brother?’

For a moment Daisy thought that she had made a huge mistake. Surely Sister Johnson was too old for Toby to have toyed with her affections? But then a slow smile transformed the sister’s stern features.

‘I’ve known Toby since he was a first-year medical student. He’s come a long way. I suppose you know Nick Neville, too?’

Daisy felt the blood rush to her cheeks. ‘Yes, he’s a good friend of the family.’

‘I’m old enough to remember Nick’s father. Now, there was a brilliant doctor. He could have made a fortune in a prestigious Harley Street practice, but he chose to return home to his native village. It was London’s loss.’

‘So I believe, although I never met him.’ Daisy studied the document in front of her and filled in the necessary details before handing it back to Sister Johnson.