But if Mags did anything tonight to let Aggie down, she would most likely start a riot and that would be put at her door, she was sure of that. It might mean she would be sent back to the solitary secure room. Oh God, no. I can’t risk that.

‘Yes, we will walk tomorrow; and yes you can sit on the bench with me, but only if you go back to bed now and don’t wake anyone else up.’

Aggie shuffled away, humming a little tune. Poor, poor Aggie, lost in a child’s mind. It was pitiful to think of her as lonely. Mags’s heart wanted to help her, to help them all, but she had to get out of here, she had to. She consoled herself with the thought that most of the other patients didn’t know they were being treated badly. That didn’t excuse it or make it right, and she prayed that one day things would change for those suffering from mental illness, and they wouldn’t be treated like animals. But if someone like Iris, who worked here and cared, couldn’t make a difference, what chance had she? Yes, she could bring influence to bear. If she’d known of their plight previously, when she was a respected businesswoman and member of society, she would have done; but as a fugitive – as that was what she was going to be – she had to accept that she could do nothing. The thought didn’t sit easily with her as she turned over, for what she hoped would be an undisturbed sleep.

The next day Aggie seemed to have forgotten all about Mags’s promise and went about her usual daily routine. This brought Mags some relief, but still she worried about the nights. It was when everyone was asleep that Aggie seemed to feel the need to be with someone and to give, and receive, her kind of love. Would she want to pick up the ‘friendship’ then? What if it became a regular occurrence?

This worry didn’t sit long in her, when Iris came on duty and sought her out. ‘I need to talk with you in the garden. Aye, I knaw as it’s raining, but I have a message from the doctor.’

Mags’s heart skipped a beat. Surely nothing has gone wrong, has it?

‘Go on your usual walk, but hurry over to the bench under the tree, as if seeking shelter. I’ll come to you, making the excuse that I’m to fetch you back inside.’

Mags shivered as she waited. Her anxiety deepened when she saw Aggie staring out at her, as she had done the day before. Should I wave to her? Deciding that to do so might seem like an invitation, Mags turned away and glanced at the sad-looking garden, with raindrops dripping from the trees and the flowers bending their heads under the weight of the downpour.

‘Mags, come inside – come on!’

She ignored Iris’s call, knowing it was just a ploy.