As Ethel predicted, news of Ada's condition spread like wildfire, first through the nurses' home and then throughout the entire hospital. Walking through the grounds of the nurses' home and through its corridors, Ada was painfully aware of the stares, and the conversations behind the hands, of her former colleagues. Others refused to meet her eyes, disapproval or disconnection, Ada could never quite tell. But the longer she remained at the nurses' home, the more lonely and miserable she became. Ethel, and the many hours they sat together, was Ada's only source of comfort.

Just over a fortnight after her encounter with Matron, Ada was sat with Ethel outside the nurses' home, the last remnants of the sunlight dancing across their faces, a gentle breeze rustling their unpinned hair. Now in her sixth month, Ada was positively glowing.

"You are so beautiful," Ethel sighed, "it's no wonder Dr Walton fell for you."

"Please don't," Ada pleaded, "mention James that is, you can tell me how beautiful I am whenever you want!" she added with a giggle, "I can't help thinking how different things would be if I was Mrs Walton, and I was carrying his child."

"Do you still love him?"

"It doesn't matter if I did, he would never take me back, not after what I did to him, and certainly not now. No man is going to."

Ethel's struggle for an answer was aided by the appearance around the corner of Miss Luckes and Mr Holland. Ada and Ethel began to rise to their feet.

"No, no, please sit down, you especially Miss Russell," Mr Holland soothed, "may we have a word with you?"

"Yes of course," Ada replied.

"Just you," Miss Luckes added, glaring at Ethel.

Ethel made to take her leave, but Ada took hold of her wrist.

"Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of Ethel," Ada quipped, "it will save me the trouble of repeating everything to her later."

Ada stared defiantly between Miss Luckes and Mr Holland. Ethel bit the inside of her lip and stared at the ground in order to prevent herself dissolving into giggles.

"Very well," Mr Holland replied with a look in his eye that suggested a quiet admiration for the woman sitting in front of him. "Some weeks ago now, Miss Luckes made me aware of your, delicate, condition."

"I'm pregnant, Mr Holland, not an invalid."

Ethel snorted. Matron glared at both Ethel and Ada, quite unsure who deserved it the most.

"Miss Luckes made me aware of your pregnancy, and the situation from which it arose."

"The fact I was raped," Ada corrected him.

"Um, yes," Mr Holland stuttered, awkwardly fiddling with the collar of his shirt, "Miss Luckes asked me whether I could find a place of refuge for you, and the baby, when your time comes. I am pleased to inform you, I have found you a home, and employment, as a nurse."

"Oh!" Ada gasped.

"Lady Constance Burbridge is in need of a personal live-in nurse, able to manage and monitor the range of conditions that ail her. The current occupant of the post is soon to resign in order to marry. She is aware of your condition, and is willing to accomodate you and the child under her roof."

"Pack your things, Miss Russell, there will be a cab waiting to take you to Paddington tomorrow morning at 8:30. The address, a train ticket, and your letter of introduction are in this envelope," Miss Luckes added, handing her a small white packet.

"But," Ada began.

"What?" Miss Luckes snapped, "this is an offer you cannot refuse."

"If Lady Burbridge needs so much care, how am I to provide it during my confinement, when I, I imagine, will be rather in need of some care myself?"

"Her consultant in Harley Street will see to that," Mr Holland confirmed, "now, chop, chop, I'm sure you have all sorts of things to pack."

"Thank you Mr Holland," Ada said.

"Good luck, Nurse Russell," Mr Holland added with a wink, and began to spring across the lawn, looking triumphantly pleased with himself.

Miss Luckes, Ada and Ethel watched Mr Holland until he was out of sight. Ethel threw both arms around Ada's middle and snuggled her head into her shoulder. Miss Luckes stood in silence for a moment, watching the two friends.

"You'll be provided with a uniform once your employment commences," Miss Luckes announced, "but remember, you can only be known as Nurse Russell within the confines of Burbridge Hall."

"Yes, Matron," Ada sighed, her eyes downcast.

A lump appeared in Miss Luckes' throat, she could not contain herself any longer. Tears began to leak at the corners of her eyes. She lifted Ada gently to her feet and held her like she had never held anyone before. Ada snuggled, childlike, into Matron's embrace. Ethel could only sit and watch as the two most steely, resilient, and admirable women she had ever met shared the most intimate of moments. Suddenly aware that Ethel was watching, Miss Luckes loosened one arm from around Ada and gestured to Ethel to come closer and, for what seemed like an eternity, the three women were locked together. All differences left aside, united in sisterhood and love.

"Write to me, won't you?" Miss Luckes asked Ada as she unfurled herself.

"Of course."

"And, I would like to meet the baby."

"I'd like that too," Ada replied.

Miss Luckes took a breath in, dabbed her eyes and cheeks with a handkerchief and, turning to Ethel said, "Go and help her pack Nurse Bennett."

"Yes Matron," Ethel replied.

"Carry on," Miss Luckes nodded, and traced the same path across the lawn as Mr Holland had done.

"Oh Ada," Ethel gasped as the swish of Miss Luckes' dress disappeared around the corner of the nurses' home, "it's so soon."

"It's for the best," Ada reminded her, "I can slip away, unnoticed, whilst the day staff are on duty and the night staff are all asleep."

"It makes it seem as though you've done something wrong, like you're being smuggled away like a thief in the night."

Ada shot a pointed glance at Ethel, Ethel understood immediately.

"Private nurse to Lady Constance Burbridge," Ada mused, changing the subject, "I suppose it's a slight improvement on the Workhouse." She allowed herself a small smile.

"Come on," Ethel said, taking Ada by the hand, "you heard what Matron said, we need to get you packed and ready to go."