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‘There’s a young lady arrived. Says she’s called Galiena and is wife to Ambrose Ryemarsh. She asks to see the nursing nuns and so Sister Ursel’s taken her to the infirmary.’
    Trying to follow the porteress’s reasoning – Sister Ursel did not usually feel it necessary to report to the Abbess every new arrival who came seeking help – Helewise said, ‘And this Galiena Ryemarsh is a lady of quality, Sister Anne?’ Perhaps the young woman’s elevated station was the reason for Sister Ursel’s action.
    ‘Oh, yes, without a doubt. I saw her with my own eyes and I can certainly attest to that.’ Sister Anne nodded violently as if to emphasise her words.
    ‘Ah, I see. The name is not familiar to me butperhaps I should step across to the infirmary and make the lady’s acquaintance.’ She frowned, not relishing the interruption.
    ‘Oh, I don’t reckon there’s any call for that, not unless you feel like it, my lady,’ Sister Anne said, giving Helewise an indulgent smile. ‘Don’t you disturb yourself, not when you’ve so much to do!’
    Losing patience at last, Helewise said, ‘Then why are you sent to interrupt my concentration in order to inform me of this arrival, Sister Anne?’
    Sister Anne’s vapid smile froze on her face. ‘Oh – er – urn – because of how she arrived!’ she stammered.
    ‘Yes?’ Helewise restrained the impulse to ask sarcastically, and how did she arrive? Walking on her hands? Dragged on a hurdle? On a wicker chariot and driving a team of wolves?
    ‘She was’ – Sister Anne, undeterred by her superior’s ill-restrained irritation, paused dramatically – ‘alone!’
    Helewise made herself work on the ledgers for a little longer, then, since she would soon have to stop in order to attend Vespers, she abandoned her efforts in time to slip across first to the infirmary.
    Sister Euphemia came to the door to greet her. ‘You’ll have been informed of our new arrival, then,’ she said quietly, leaning close to her superior. As always, the infirmary was busy and several nuns were hurrying here and there throughout the long room as if keen to finish the present task before the summons to evening prayers.
    ‘Indeed.’ Helewise looked around her. ‘Is she within?’
    ‘No.’ The infirmarer gave her a quick glance. ‘She’s not sick so there’s no need for her to take up a bed among those that are.’
    ‘Then …?’ Helewise paused.
    ‘Step outside with me, if you will, my lady, and I shall tell you the little that I know.’
    Helewise and Sister Euphemia went out through the infirmary’s wide doors and turned into the shady cloister outside; the day was still hot and the deep shade was welcome. When they were safely out of earshot of anyone inside the infirmary, Sister Euphemia said, with a brevity that Sister Anne might have done worse than emulate, ‘She’s called Galiena. She’s eighteen, married to a man a good bit older and she wants to be pregnant.’
    ‘Oh!’ Momentarily startled, Helewise recovered herself quickly and said, ‘And seeks your help?’
    ‘Aye. Seems the young lady is something of a herbalist herself. I took her to see Sister Tiphaine, who was clearly impressed by the remedies that Galiena has already used. She’s been treating both herself and her husband, which shows a deal of good sense.’
    ‘Can you help her?’ Helewise asked. ‘Is there anything you and Sister Tiphaine can suggest that has not already been employed?’
    ‘Reckon there’s always another remedy or two worth a try,’ the infirmarer replied. ‘The lass has agreed that I talk to her at greater length, which I’ll do in the morning. If I can find the time.’ She gave a shortsniff, as if to imply that a rich young woman’s fancies would certainly not be given preference over more pressing demands. ‘Sometimes it’s as simple a matter as a couple not knowing what they’re meant to do, if you understand me,’ she went on. ‘I well recall a pair of