‘And, with a bit of luck, that handsome young policeman who’s got an eye for you might be on duty?’ Connie teased her mischievously, laughing when Mavis blushed.

      ‘If you mean Frank, the only reason he stopped me to talk to me the other day was because he wanted to ask after old Mr Beddoes. He brought him in, you see, and he wondered how he was getting on!’

      ‘Oh, I see, it was just to talk about the old man that he stopped you, was it?’ Connie asked guilelessly. ‘I’m only asking, seeing as how Mr Beddoes is on my ward.’

      Seeing how self-conscious Mavis looked, Connie relented and stopped teasing her. ‘Did Frank say if they’ve found out who it was who knocked him about so badly? Poor old thing’s got a broken leg and Gawd alone knows what happened to his insides! Mr Clegg isn’t saying anything, but somehow I don’t think he’s going to be going home,’ she added darkly.