Two week's bed rest and the cessation of her first trimester nausea transformed Ada beyond recognition. The colour had returned to her cheeks and she entered the Receiving Room each morning with a renewed vigour. But her growing condition remained a growing concern. Buttons on her uniform became more fiddly to do up, her brassiere seemed to no longer contain her as it once had. One morning a few weeks after returning to work, she caught sight of her profile in the long mirror as she was dressing, and let out a gentle gasp. There, as plain as day, was a new curve, one so longed for, but one so frightening. She checked from every angle, her stockings slipping on the wooden floor as she spun. She stroked the gentle curve up and down, affirming with her hands the diagnosis her eyes had made.

"How much longer can I keep you a secret little one?" she whispered.

On her next afternoon off, Ada decided to act upon a thought that had been swimming through her mind since the commencement of her bed rest. Was there a link between Anna's bruised face and her current condition? She didn't think she could recognise her attacker, but if it was the same man that hurt Anna, perhaps the police might be able to do something with their information. If Anna consented to give it of course. And even if she did, would the police listen to them? Would they ask awkward questions about why she'd left it for almost four months? Would her swollen abdomen convince a constable?

With all these questions swirling around, Ada skipped out of the nurses' home and out onto Whitechapel Road. She passed the corner where her encounter had occurred, averting her eyes and wincing at the painful memory. Turning through three more streets, she knocked on Anna's door.

"Who is it?" Anna called as she opened the door a crack.

"It's me, Ada."

The door creaked open a little wider.

"Thought you'd forgotten about us," Anna replied, "or did 'im upstairs scare you off?"

"May I talk to you? As a friend?"

Seeing the concerned and pained look on Ada's face, Anna glanced the length of the street and pulled Ada inside.

"Tea? Or something stronger?" Anna asked.

"Tea would be very welcome," Ada replied.

Anna poured two cups of tea and stirred in a spoonful of condensed milk into each one. She handed Ada the less chipped of the two and looked on expectantly.

"Last time I came," Ada began, sipping her tea, "your neighbour said something had happened to you, that you'd been hurt. What happened to you?"

"Some drunkard took a swing at me, might have been trying something on with us, but Billy over the road came and fought him off."

"Trying something on with you?" Ada asked puzzled.

"To give us one, to get his leg over."

The penny dropped with Ada. Anna smiled at her friend's innocence.

"Why are you asking?" Anna wondered, "that was months ago."

Ada took a large gulp of her sweetened tea, trying to pluck up the courage to reveal her secret.

"Because, on the way home from here that night, I was attacked by a man, and I am now carrying his child."

Anna's eyes widened and her jaw dropped open. Ada burst into uncontrollable tears.

"Dear God." Anna exclaimed, taking her handkerchief and beginning to wipe Ada's face, "did you go copper?"

"No," Ada sobbed, "I couldn't give them a description, other than that he was very tall and strong, had stubble on his face and some scars. It could be half the men in the East End. Could you identify the man who hurt you?"

"Nah, it was far too dark and Bill arrived on the scene far too quick. You think it might be the same bloke who did us both over?"

"Perhaps," Ada replied, "would you come to the police with me and tell them what you know?"

Anna's face fell. Ada feared it would.

"I dunno what to say mind?"

"Just what you've said to me."

Anna thought about it for a moment. Ada's eyes met hers, pleading with her.

"I'll ask Lil next door to mind the little'uns, we'll go now."

Ada jumped to her feet and hugged Anna.

"Thank you."

Half an hour later Ada and Anna were sitting in front of the Desk Sergeant. They told their stories, including all the details they had gone over together on the walk to the station. But the Sergeant seemed unconvinced, and muttered comments about lack of witnesses and evidence.

"Is Ada's condition not enough?" Anna pleaded, "she's a Sister at The London!"

The Sergeant peered around the edge of the desk, his eyes scanning Ada's body up and down before settling on her corseted waist.

"She doesn't look like she's expecting."

"No I wouldn't at only seventeen weeks and whilst wearing a corset," Ada snapped back, getting to her feet and leaning on the desk menacingly.

"Is that how a Sister of The London speaks to an officer of the law?" he smirked.

Ada sat down and folded her arms across her chest."

"I will put this on file ladies," the Sergeant drawled, "but I can't see that anything will come of it. Good day to you."

Ada and Anna left the police station with heavy hearts. Ada was filled with rage. Now what can she do?

"I'm sorry Ada," Anna said, pulling her into a hug. "What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know," Ada admitted, "I really don't know."

"Keep in touch," Anna said kindly, "and if you need anything for the little'un, let me know, I've got plenty."

"I couldn't take your things" Ada replied, "I'll manage."

"I'll always help someone who comes knocking, don't forget that Sister."

Anna waved goodbye and headed home. Ada wandered in the opposite direction towards The London. Her secret was shared, but the burden of it was still hers to bear. And only hers.