‘Ah yes, here we are. He has a room on the first floor, would you like to follow me?’

Livvy’s mouth went dry as they climbed the stairs. At the top of them was a large room in which a number of patients were sitting, some in wheelchairs and others in the wing chairs that were dotted about. Two of them were playing a game of chess, another two a game of cards, but the majority of them just sat staring into space as nurses hovered between them.

‘That’s one of the day rooms,’ the young nurse told her as she saw Livvy looking in. ‘There’s another on the ground floor for the more able-bodied patients who are able to get about a little more easily.’

Livvy nodded as she followed her along a very long landing that still had an element of grandeur about it. Livvy could almost imagine women in beautiful ball gowns drifting along it in times gone by. But then her thoughts were brought back abruptly to the present when the young nurse stopped in front of one of the many doors that led off it.

‘He’s in here,’ she informed Livvy, her face solemn now. ‘But don’t expect too much. He only arrived a short while ago and I’m afraid he is still very weak and very traumatised.’ Seeing the distress on Livvy’s face she added hastily, ‘He will get better, of course. He’s severely malnourished but if we can get some good food inside him, he’ll start to improve in no time. Now, would you like me to tell him you’re here?’

Livvy shook her head as she stood straight and smoothed her skirt. ‘No … no thank you. I’d rather surprise him.’

‘As you wish. I’ll leave you to it then but do shout if there’s anything you need. The tea trolley should be round shortly.’ She tripped away and Livvy took a deep breath and tapped on the door before cautiously opening it and stepping into the room. This was it and she was painfully aware that her whole future could hinge on these next few minutes.