After Polly’s fearful question about whether Elizabeth was under threat from Leonard she was anxious to call in at the hospital as soon as possible. In any case, by the time Esme had parried Mrs Rowcliffe’s questions about Polly’s distress the day had slipped into evening and dusk was falling. Esme had no desire to trawl around Shropton in the dark trying to find Mary’s house. Besides, there would be more chance of catching her on her own on a weekday. Polly had told her Mary had a son and grandson who lived with her in Fletcher Street. With luck they’d be at work on a Monday morning. The matron accepted Esme’s explanation that Polly had received some bad news about a friend, though Esme suspected she was not entirely convinced. But she said nothing, probably motivated by her desire to get home after a long day. There was nothing to report at the hospital. Elizabeth was still sleeping peacefully and to the knowledge of the nurse on duty, no strangers had attempted to barge their way in to see her.
