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conversation when she arrived that her affected surprise at seeing him there went unnoticed.
    â€˜Nurse Montgomery, I’m afraid I have bad news for you. Your brother tells me that your mother has been taken ill and has asked if you can return home and take care of her. Normally I would not permit a nurse just to leave without notice, but, under the circumstances, I am prepared to make an exception. You may collect whatever you need from your room and meetyour brother in the main hall. I hope you will be able to return to your duties here soon.
    â€˜Kindly let me know how matters progress and when we can expect your sister back,’ she added, looking at Lewis. ‘It is most unfortunate that you need her at home as we are getting very busy and, of course, we have trained your sister to nurse sick and wounded soldiers, not one of her relatives.’
    â€˜We do understand that, Matron, and we greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation,’ Lewis told her gravely.
    The moment they were outside Hilbury, Christabel let out a long sigh of relief. ‘You did that so well, Lewis, that I almost believed Mother really was ill,’ she congratulated him.
    â€˜Be that as it may, I can’t say that I am very proud of what I have done. I am not at all sure that I am doing the right thing in aiding and abetting you in this matter. What are we going to do at Christmas? Mother will be expecting you home for at least a visit, so how are you going to deal with that?’
    â€˜In the same way as we’re dealing with things now.’
    Lewis frowned. ‘I don’t understand?’
    â€˜I’m relying on you to explain to Mother that there has been an epidemic or a rush of casualties, and that I am needed at the hospital and am unable to get any time off.’
    â€˜That’s all very well, Christabel, but with only Lilian still at home, it’s going to be a ratherquiet Christmas for them. They’re bound to miss you.’
    â€˜Then you must make sure that they don’t. You and Violet will have to visit them a little more often and make sure they aren’t lonely.’
    â€˜That may not be as easy as it sounds,’ he grumbled. ‘Remember, Violet will be heavily pregnant by then and she will probably want to rest a great deal.’
    â€˜So will I,’ she reminded him. ‘At least she won’t have to hide away and be cut off from all her friends and family,’ she added pointedly.
    When he didn’t answer she slipped her arm through his and squeezed it affectionately as they reached the railway station. ‘You
have
found me somewhere to live, haven’t you?’ she asked anxiously. ‘Where is it?’
    â€˜It’s in Wilcock Court off Scotland Road. It’s only one room and it’s on the second floor and not very salubrious. I’ve rented it in your name; well, that is, as Mrs Montgomery, and I’ve paid four months’ rent in advance.’
    â€˜Oh Lewis, thank you!’ she said, relieved. ‘Mrs Montgomery,’ she looked up at him and laughed, ‘so I’m married, am I?’
    â€˜It was impossible to find anyone willing to let a room to a single lady,’ he told her as they boarded a train for Liverpool Exchange. ‘As far as the landlady is aware, I am your husband and I’ve told her that I am about to go to sea and will be away for several months. Her name, by the way, is Maggie Nelson. She’s a ratherrough sort of character, but then so are most of the landladies in that area.’
    â€˜Have you told her I’m pregnant?’
    â€˜No, I thought perhaps it was better not to do that in case she refused me the room. As a rule they don’t want crying babies, if it can be helped.’
    â€˜It won’t take her long to find out, though. There will be one quite soon, won’t there?’ Christabel sighed, rubbing her hand over her extended stomach.
    â€˜When she does,