‘Fran told me all about her Robert,’ Danuta replied, a smile tweaking at her lips. ‘I think there will soon be a wedding.’ She winced and clutched her side as she moved against the pillows. ‘It’s just the stitches,’ she explained. ‘They are pulling when I move.’

‘Then keep still, wee girl, or ask me to help shift the pillows so you can be comfortable.’

Danuta grinned, reminding Ron suddenly of the young girl who’d taken such delight in driving the ambulances during her stay at Beach View, and using her knowledge as a theatre nurse back in Poland to boss the first-aiders about when she saw they were making a mess of things.

‘It is good to know Babunia has a friend to take her out,’ she said. ‘I am to meet Bertie this afternoon. She sounded very well on the telephone – just the same as I remember.’

Ron grinned. ‘She doesn’t change much, although she can get very grumpy in the mornings, and her hearing’s getting worse.’

‘I will remember to tell her to switch on her hearing aid – like before when I live with you.’ Danuta gave a deep sigh and momentarily closed her eyes. ‘I have missed you all so much. I hope Beach View has not changed.’

‘It’s a wee bit older and shabbier, but the walls are still standing and it’s much the same. The heart of the home is still Peggy’s kitchen, and before long you’ll be sitting there with Harvey at your knee while you chatter away with Fran and Cordelia and the girls. It’ll feel as if you’ve never been away.’

There were shadows in her green eyes as she looked at him, and her smile was wan. ‘I have lived many lifetimes since I last sat in Peggy’s kitchen,’ she said wistfully. ‘I wish that I was there now.’

‘Well, you’d better hurry up and get better,’ he said gruffly. ‘The sooner you’re out of this bed, the sooner you can come home.’

‘Is Harvey still outside?’

Ron nodded. ‘Aye, and it’s more than my life’s worth to let him in here. Matron would have me head from me shoulders, so she would.’

Danuta giggled and it warmed Ron’s soft old heart. ‘I tell you what, though,’ he said, reaching into his coat pocket. ‘I do have someone you’ve yet to meet.’ He drew a sleepy and subdued Queenie from his pocket.

‘Oh, she is beautiful,’ gasped Danuta as he gently placed the cat beside her. ‘Poor little one has a bad leg – like me. What is her name?’