Would he ever get used to this? Ben wondered, as he worked on into the afternoon.

These were Lily’s people.

Where was she? Every time anyone approached he looked up, hoping it was her.

She’d be aware that she was no longer desperately needed. She’d be searching for her son and for her fiancé.

Her son and her fiancé.

Well, he’d expected her to be married with babies. Why did those two words have the capacity to make him feel as if he’d been kicked?

It was only because he didn’t know where she was, he told himself as the day progressed. It was only because he couldn’t help her.

He was helping her now, doing her work for her.

He wanted, quite desperately, to find her.

Finally, as dusk was falling, the bulk of the organisational work had been done and the urgent cases had been treated. It was time to hand over. Sam was available to take charge.

‘I’m taking some sleep,’ he told Sam, and Sam looked down to where Ben was changing his theatre slippers for military boots.

‘Sleeping quarters for med staff are right through the canvas,’ Sam said cautiously. ‘You’re expecting to die with your boots on?’

‘There’s no threat.’

‘So you’re putting your boots on, why?’

‘I’m taking a walk.’

‘To take in the sights,’ Sam said, smiling. They’d worked together for a long time now, and Sam knew him well. ‘You’ve been on your feet since last night. You’re dropping where you stand. But you’re going for a walk.’

‘No one knows where Lily is.’

Sam’s smile faded. ‘Our Lily?’

‘She was here when I first arrived,’ Ben said. ‘She was close to collapse when I arrived but her kid’s missing.’

‘Her kid.’ Sam’s brow creased. ‘What sort of kid?’

‘How the hell would I know? A kid kid. Pieter-the head nurse-told me she’s got a kid she can’t find but Pieter’s gone home and won’t be back on duty till tomorrow. I can’t find anyone who knows where she is so I’m taking a look.’