Three hours later, on the train back to London, Tilly was exhausted. In the luggage net above them was a small pigskin suitcase with all her acquisitions from Dorothy. Next to it was a wicker hamper stuffed with cold meats, cheese, eggs, vegetables and home-baked bread and cakes. She looked up at them, hugging her good fortune to herself.

"I'm going to be so popular in the nurses' home," she said smugly. "But, God, I'm so tired."

"Mother does tend to have that effect on one." ...