‘I’ll be as quick as I can,’ I heard Alison say as she appeared in the pool of escaped light from inside, stuffing her arms into her coat.

A man’s voice drifted out after her, but I didn’t hear what he said.

‘Alison!’ I shouted, ‘what’s happened?’

She pulled the door shut behind her and rushed to meet me on the path.

‘I was just coming to look for you,’ she frowned. ‘There’s something the matter with Dolly, but I don’t know what. She said she felt ill and asked me to bring her home and call the doctor. Now she’s saying she has to speak to you before anyone else. It’s all a bit of a mystery.’

Dolly wasn’t one for melodrama and I began to feel scared.

‘I best go in,’ I said, but I didn’t want to.

My feet stayed rooted to the path. I would much rather not have to cross the cottage threshold. I had a dreadful sense of foreboding that if I did then my life was going to be turned even further upside down.

‘Go on then,’ said Alison, giving me a much-needed nudge. ‘She’s waiting.’

The doctor was packing his bag when Alison and I went in and Dolly was in her usual chair next to the fire, which had been stoked and was bathing the room in a warm glow. I shivered nonetheless.

‘You must be Hattie,’ smiled the young doctor, holding out his hand which I tentatively shook. ‘I’m Doctor Harris.’

I kept my eyes on Dolly.

‘Yes,’ I swallowed, ‘I’m Hattie.’

‘Dolly’s all right now,’ he said, pulling on his coat, ‘and I’ve got to get off to another call, but she knows to ring if she wants me to come back later.’

‘Right,’ I said, trying to smile and failing. ‘Thanks.’

‘Can I give you a lift, Alison?’

‘Yes,’ she said, ‘I better get back.’

‘I’m afraid you’ll have missed the start,’ said Dolly.

Her voice sounded completely normal.

‘Doesn’t matter in the slightest,’ said Alison, going over to squeeze her hand. ‘It’s not my favourite bit.’

‘No,’ Dolly smiled. ‘Beginnings and endings are all right, but it’s what happens in between that really counts, isn’t it?’

I knew she was paraphrasing someone but couldn’t remember who.

‘I’ll pop by again tomorrow,’ said Doctor Harris, holding the door open for Alison.

‘No need,’ said Dolly.

He ignored her.

‘See you in the morning,’ he called over his shoulder, ‘perhaps then I might get a cup of tea.’

Dolly tutted. Apparently, her GP was her mischievous equal.

‘I’ll let him get away with that,’ she sniffed. ‘He might only be a babe in arms, but he knows what he’s about.’