‘No. No one.’

‘Very well. I hope you mend quickly.’

Not a word of condemnation about Harold’s actions towards her had passed the doctor’s lips. It was a bitter pill to swallow that these northerners seemed to think it acceptable that Harold should treat a woman in this way. But then maybe it was just her; because of her situation, they just didn’t care about her.

As Susan lay back, drowsy now from the draught of medication the doctor had given her, she felt a sudden urge to escape. And she wished with all her heart that Mags would be able to carry out any plans she had, and that Harold wouldn’t be able to foil her in any way.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Mags was surprised when a bellboy knocked on her door and handed her a note. He waited while she read it. Montel is here and wishes to see me? How strange; he’d only left her a couple of hours ago, saying that he would see her tomorrow.

It was five days now since she’d arrived in London, and it seemed as though nothing could mar her joy. The last two days had been spent with Montel and Sibbie, and she knew she was falling in love with them both.

Montel was shown into her sitting room, and the tea she’d ordered followed soon afterwards. Once it was served, the waiter told her he would be just outside the door, should she need him. She smiled at this and knew he was discreetly chaperoning her.

As soon as they were alone, Montel told her what had happened to Susan.

‘That’s terrible. Poor Susan. But why is David worried about me? Harold was bound to surmise these things. Logically, they had to happen for me to escape, but he can do nothing about any of them. He doesn’t know I am here; he doesn’t know that I have money; nor does he know who has helped me.’

They were interrupted by a telephone call coming through for Mags. ‘David! Montel is here and has explained. How is Susan? And why you are so worried about me?’

Mags listened while the doctor told her that Susan would be all right; and then as he explained that the solicitors had told him it would take up to a fortnight to make the funds available to her. ‘The money for the orderlies and Iris was paid without any problem, but they were small sums. To have all your funds transferred is a different matter. They told me that a lot of it was invested for you, on the instructions of your father, and that a broker is working to secure sufficient sales to get you the amount you need.’

‘That all sounds fine to me. I should be all right if they can advance five pounds to me for my travel, and for a hotel when I arrive in Scotland.’

‘That shouldn’t be a problem and, if it is, I can do that for you on a loan basis. But what is a problem is if Harold finds out that you have assets. Susan told me that he not only has a husband’s rights over your money and property, but he still has power of attorney over you. I don’t think we can do anything about that, as your escape doesn’t give you the same status as if you were discharged. No one has declared you sound of mind. Therefore if Harold discovers that you have money and property, he can legally take everything.’