At seven o’clock next morning Judy waited for the sister in charge to give her instructions. She had arrived early and was eager to start work, despite the gloomy predictions of her fellow lodgers in Fieldgate Street. Mabel had not yet returned from her shift when Judy made her announcement that she had found a position at the London Hospital, and the news had been met with exclamations of horror and much shuddering. Fanny had been the only one among them who had seen the possibilities of working with handsome young doctors, and she had teased Judy mercilessly when she blushed. Now, in the cold light of morning, as she waited outside the sluice room, Judy could not help wondering if perhaps her friends at the lodging house had been right. Then the sound of footsteps made her turn her head and the sight of Dr Godfrey’s beaming smile banished all her worries.

‘Good morning. I’m afraid I don’t know your name. My friend Toby Marshall was in too much of a hurry to introduce us.’

‘Yes, sir,’ Judy said shyly. ‘I know who you are.’

‘Then you have the advantage of me, Miss er …’

‘Judy Begg, sir.’

‘I’m Ben Godfrey, and this is one of my wards,’ he said, smiling. ‘I hope you enjoy working here, Judy.’

‘Thank you, Doctor.’ Judy glanced over his shoulder and saw the ward sister bearing down on them.

Ben looked round. ‘Good morning, Sister.’

‘Good morning, Dr Godfrey. I’m sure you have better things to do than to waste time chatting. We most certainly have.’

Judy stared at her in amazement. Sister Harris was an older woman, but to speak to a doctor in such a tone must surely earn her a sharp set-down.

‘Indeed I do,’ Dr Godfrey said, smiling urbanely. ‘Thank you for reminding me.’ He strolled into a ward, leaving Judy open-mouthed.

‘It’s not polite to stare, Miss Begg.’ Sister Harris glared at the ward maid, who came hurrying towards them. ‘You’re late again, Wallace. If this happens once more you’ll face disciplinary proceedings and possible dismissal.’

The young woman flushed uncomfortably and bowed her head. ‘I’m sorry, Sister. My mother was taken poorly in the night and—’

‘I don’t need excuses, Wallace. Get on with your work. I want you to take Begg with you today so that she knows the layout of the hospital and what’s required of her, but first I want you to show her where to get her pinafore and cap.’

‘Yes, Sister.’ Wallace shot a wary glance in Judy’s direction. ‘You’d best come with me, Begg.’

‘Thank you.’ Judy followed her to the linen room where they were both given caps and voluminous cotton aprons. ‘I can’t call you Wallace. I’m Judy.’

‘Gertie,’ Wallace said reluctantly. ‘Just do as I tell you and we won’t fall out.’

‘Of course. I’m here to learn, and I want to do well.’

Gertie gave her a searching look. ‘You’ll get over that soon enough. We do just enough to get by and no more. It’s a thankless bloody task. You get no gratitude for all the hard work and you go home stinking of carbolic.’