said Mrs. Stephens. She had taken Teddy and Izzy into the private room, which turned out to be a neat and homely sitting room with a desk at one end, covered in accounts and other papers. She asked Richard to bring tea and biscuits. “And is this your young lady, Master Edward?” “We’re just friends,” said Teddy, blushing. “I’m Isobel McDonald. Izzy to my friends. I’m a nurse to Sir Lionel.” “I’m very glad to meet you, Izzy. I’m sorry to hear Sir Lionel has been unwell. Is that why you’ve come to me, Master Edward? Because I can’t return now, even if I wanted to.” “No, that’s not why. Father is making a vast improvement, and we keep getting staff from an agency. None of them stay very long.” “So not much has changed then,” said Polly, pursing her lips. “I had no idea that you and Mr. Stephens had married.” “Well we always talked about it, you know.” “No, I didn’t know,” said Teddy. “You kept it hidden well.” As far as he could remember, things had been rather strained between Mr.
