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down and to disturb Mrs Gatton, but I didn't know your number and of course you're not listed as yet.'
    'No, I'm not... Alex, there's nothing wrong, is there?' He sounded a bit strained, she thought. Had Imogen Rayland collapsed, or fallen, or suffered a stroke?
    'There's nothing wrong, no.. .nothing at all.' There was the merest pause, then he went on to ask, 'Look, I've no idea if this will appeal to you, but Tom and I and Imogen wondered if you'd come to the show with us on Saturday week. That is, of course, if your duty times fit. I expect you sometimes work at weekends.'
    Anna was too surprised to say anything for a second; this was the last thing she'd expected. For one thing she didn't think Tom and she had exactly hit it off, and for another she scarcely knew Alex—or Miss Rayland, for that matter. 'It's a very kind thought,' she said hesitatingly, knowing that she was stalling, whilst from the other end she heard Alex say in rather more assured tones:
    'Well, think it over; there's no need to let us know at once. We'll be going anyway, starting at ten o'clock and making a day of it.'
    'As a matter of fact...' Anna made up her mind with a suddenness that surprised her '.. .as a matter of fact I'd love to come. I've not been to Collingham for years, and Saturday week is perfect because that's when I shall be off.. .off duty, I mean. I do alternate weekends, so thank you very much!'
    'Good, that's marvellous,' Alex enthused. 'Four is a better number than three and, quite apart from that, Tom and Imogen will be mainly concerned with the equine side of things. You and I can spread ourselves and do a tour of the show. There's so much to see, but I expect you know that. Now, if you'll give me your number...' his voice faded as he reached for a pad '...I'll ring you nearer the time and confirm when we'll be picking you up.'
    'Yes, OK, fine.' Anna relayed her number, then put down the phone, still feeling surprised and, yes, flattered for it would be fun to go out. This would be her first date since coming here, and only a few minutes ago hadn't she been thinking how much she'd like to go to the Collingham Show?
    Prue called her into her sitting-room to show her the two Japanese prints that Alex had bid for at auction, and she made no bones about asking Anna why he had telephoned. When she heard why, she looked pleased. 'You'll enjoy yourself,' she said, but made no further comment, seeming far more interested on deciding where to hang her prints to get the best effect.
    Back in her flat Anna reflected that in going to the show with Alex and Tom, and Imogen Rayland, she would be doing precisely what Simon had advised— socialising with people who had nothing at all to do with hospital life.
     
    Next day she saw him in full regalia, heading a teaching round. She and Jean had warning of this soon after the hand-over session, and immediately after breakfast they were busy getting case-notes and X-rays in order, getting charts made up to date, ensuring that the results of laboratory investigations were attached to mount sheets and assembling any equipment which might be needed during the round.
    In the middle of all this Miss Fotheringay's niece arrived and asked to see Anna, Mrs Johnson's young husband came to take his wife home, and three middle-aged patients admitted for dilatation and curettage were admitted and shown to their beds. They were due, Anna knew, to be 'prepped' in turn and would go off to Theatres, starting at half-past nine. 'Bill will be operating,' Meg told her, 'and I will be assisting.'
    At three minutes past ten exactly Simon appeared in the office doorway, six young medics—two males and four females—ranged behind him.
    And no one, but no one, Anna thought, wishing them all good morning, could take him for other than a senior consultant—not simply because he wasn't wearing a white coat but because in any garb he would exude a presence, a manner and bearing.. .all this, aside from his charm.
    He was