‘One more word out of you and we administer a general anaesthetic,’ he told her. ‘Shut up and keep still.’

Abbey gasped. ‘You can’t administer a general anaesthetic against my will.’

Ryan sighed and looked across at Eileen. ‘Sister Roderick, would you say this patient is behaving unreasonably?’

‘I surely would.’ Her problems solved, Eileen was now enjoying herself immensely.

‘Maybe caused by the bump on her head?’

Eileen nodded. ‘Could be.’

‘So we-as caring, professional providers of emergency treatment-would be justified in doing whatever we need to administer appropriate treatment.’

Eileen’s grin widened. ‘Sounds good to me. Short of a sledgehammer, Dr Henry, I’m with you all the way.’

‘So shut up, Abbey,’ Ryan said kindly. ‘You’re beaten.’ He took the leg carefully between his hands and checked Abbey’s face. Abbey had been given a sedative and as much morphine as Ryan thought she could tolerate. He watched her face carefully for signs of pain. None.

With one fast, decisive click, he rotated the lower leg to the right.

Abbey gasped. Her eyes widened in shock-and then she stared down and her pale face creased into a smile. Underneath the swelling the patella looked normal again. One kneecap back in position.

‘Well done,’ she whispered-and then she went right back to arguing.

‘Now let’s think this through. If you think I’m lying back and doing nothing-’

‘Sister, how far up do you think we should wind this bandage?’ Ryan asked. ‘How about somewhere near her armpits?’

‘Mouth sounds better.’ Eileen chuckled.

‘Know when you’re beaten, Abbey,’ Ryan told her, and kept right on winding.

And there was absolutely nothing Abbey could do. So Abbey Wittner finally shut up.

She hardly said a word until Ryan had her in his car, driving northwards towards her home. The jellyfish victim was recovering nicely. Eileen had Ryan’s mobile phone number to contact him in an emergency and the transfer of authority was complete. But Abbey didn’t like it one bit.