Ben Godfrey’s lodging house in Raven Row came as something of a shock to Judy. It was a narrow street close to the London Hospital, which was probably why so many of the staff chose to lodge there. It was a rundown building and Ben’s room was sparsely furnished with scant attention to comfort. A trivet in front of the small fireplace was the only means of heating a kettle, and would do little to warm the draughty room. The bare floorboards were splintered and worn and the two rag rugs looked as though they could do with a good wash. The narrow iron bedstead might have come from the servants’ quarters in a larger house, and it looked as though it had been discarded as being unsuitable even for the youngest, newest member of staff.

‘Why do you live here?’ Judy demanded crossly. ‘Surely as a doctor you could afford better?’

He shrugged and dropped his battered leather valise onto the bed. ‘It’s cheap and it’s handy for the hospital.’ He shot her a sideways glance. ‘I’ve been saving my money so that I could invest in a project such as the hospital in Little Creek. It’s a lifelong ambition of mine to provide medical care for the poor and needy. I’ve seen such terrible things in this part of London, and I’ve visited homes that were overcrowded hovels. I’ve seen families of seven or eight living in damp cellars together with complete strangers, but even they are better off than the people with nowhere to go. If you walked the city streets at night you would see terrible sights – people living in doorways, and all too often dying there.’

‘And you put all the money into your scheme?’

‘Every penny, and now I’m broke. At least I was able to settle my bill at your pub, but the railway fare back to London used up the last of my money.’

‘I’m so sorry, Ben.’ She glanced round the depressing room and sighed. ‘I wish I could help, but I’ve nothing to give you.’

He smiled. ‘I wouldn’t take it from you anyway. But don’t worry about me. We’ll walk to the Marshalls’ house, as planned, and then I’ll see you safely on the train back to Little Creek.’

‘I thought they were moving to a larger establishment.’

‘There was some delay, but that’s all to the good. It’s not very far to Sidney Square.’

‘Let’s go then,’ Judy said eagerly. ‘I’m sorry, Ben, but this room is so dreary it makes me want to cry. I don’t know how you’ve stood it for so long.’

He held the door open. ‘I only sleep here. It’s not so bad.’

‘Well, I think you could do better. Let’s see what Dr Marshall says.’

Minnie was delighted to see them and she welcomed Judy with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She smiled and extended her hand to Ben. ‘We were so worried about you. Why did you leave without telling us?’