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you all right?’ he asked softly.

      ‘Fine. I was just trying to catch my breath,’ she explained hurriedly.

      ‘No wonder. It’s been a real baptism of fire and you’re not even officially on duty yet,’ he agreed, but she could tell that he hadn’t fully believed her explanation.

      Fortunately, little Sam started crying in earnest at that point so he had no time to question her further. Anna realised that she had to be more careful in future and make sure that she separated her personal feelings from her professional responsibilities. She couldn’t afford to let one affect the other if she hoped to get through the coming months.

      Ben quickly examined the little boy and, as suspected, it turned out that Sam had an ear infection. Anna stayed with them because she didn’t think it was right to leave even though the crisis was over. The little boy was obviously very distressed and his mother, who had told them that her name was Lucy Wilkins, didn’t look much better.

      Ben drew Anna aside while the young mother tried to console the screaming toddler. ‘I know this is a huge imposition, but would you mind if I left Sam and Lucy with you while I finish seeing the rest of my patients? I want to make sure that he’s all right before she takes him home.’

      ‘Of course I don’t mind,’ Anna assured him. She glanced at the sobbing child and sighed. ‘He’s really upset, poor little mite.’

      ‘He must be in a lot of pain because the infection is quite severe, especially in his left ear. I’ve got some sample sachets of analgesic in my room so maybe you could get some of that down him.’

      He grimaced as the little boy started screaming louder than ever. ‘You might have more luck than his mum. I get the impression that she’s been having a rough time with him of late, not that it’s any surprise. It isn’t easy, bringing up a child on your own.’

      ‘It isn’t,’ Anna agreed hollowly. She summoned a smile when Ben looked at her, afraid that he would tell that the comment had touched a nerve. ‘If you let me have that analgesic, I’ll see if Sam will take it from me.’

      ‘Thanks, Anna. I really appreciate this.’

      Ben hurried back to his room and came back a few minutes later with a sachet of the analgesic, but he didn’t stop. Anna knew that he must be anxious to get back to his other patients so she merely took it from him then set about finding a plastic measuring spoon in one of the drawers. Little Sam was sobbing his heart out by that time, his face bright red with temper and pain, and Lucy had tears in her eyes as well.

      ‘I don’t know what to do when he gets like this,’ she admitted helplessly. ‘Sometimes he screams so hard that he makes himself sick and I don’t know how to stop him.’

      ‘It isn’t easy, dealing with a toddler,’ Anna consoled her. ‘A lot of parents have trouble coping.’

      ‘It must be easier if there are two of you, though,’ Lucy said, struggling to hold onto Sam as he arched his back in an attempt to free himself. ‘I keep worrying in case I’m doing everything wrong. It would be lovely to have someone to share all the problems,’ she added wistfully.

      Anna bit back a sigh because she understood exactly how the girl felt. ‘I’m sure that it must be difficult at times but you’re doing a great job. Sam is obviously loved and that’s the most important thing. Now, do you think it would help if I took him for a moment? If we can calm him down we can give him some of this analgesic.’

      Lucy gratefully relinquished the screaming toddler into her care. Anna took firm hold of the squirming little body and stood up. ‘Now, Sam, I know that you don’t feel well but you’ll feel a lot better if you stop crying.’

      The child stared at her with huge, tear-soaked eyes, obviously shocked at being parted so summarily from his mother. Anna smiled reassuringly at him. ‘Shall we see what we can find to play with? I don’t know if there are any toys in these cupboards but we can have a look.’

      She set him down on the floor and started opening the cupboards. ‘Oh, look what I’ve found!’

      She hauled out a big plastic tub of building blocks and tipped them onto the carpet. Sam immediately crouched down, his tears momentarily forgotten as he picked up two of the blocks and tried to fit them together.

      ‘Like this. See?’ Anna showed him how to slot the blocks together, smiling when he immediately copied her. She glanced over her shoulder as he picked up two more. ‘He’s very bright, isn’t he? I only needed to show him once and he knew what to do.’

      Lucy smiled. ‘He does seem to be quick on the uptake,’ she agreed proudly. ‘I bought a big box of toys from the charity shop in town and it was amazing how quickly he learned how to use them. And he just loves it when I read to him. He knows some of the stories off by heart now.’

      ‘Story?’ Sam said hopefully, looking up.

      Anna laughed as she ruffled his blond curls. ‘Later, poppet. I’m sure Mummy will read to you when you get home.’

      He gave her a beaming smile then went back to his building work. He seemed quite content so she decided that it might be a good moment to see if he would take the analgesic. She snipped the top off the sachet then measured out the recommended dosage and crouched beside him.

      ‘Are you going to be a good boy and take this for me, Sam?’ she asked, offering him the spoon.

      He stared at the bright pink liquid for a moment then obediently opened his mouth. Anna smiled as he swallowed the whole spoonful without a murmur.

      ‘That’s a good boy. Well done!’ she exclaimed, giving him a hug.

      ‘I hope he takes it from me as easily,’ Lucy said worriedly. ‘And Dr Cole said that he’s going to need ear drops as well. I don’t know if I’ll be able to make him sit still long enough to get them in his ears.’

      ‘Do it while you’re reading to him,’ Anna advised her. ‘I used to work with children and I always found that it was best to choose a quiet moment if you wanted to give them any medication. But if he does get upset, don’t make a big issue out of it. Just wait until he calms down then have another go.’

      ‘I’ll do that.’ Lucy sighed. ‘I wish there was someone to ask about things like that. I do my best but there are all sorts of things that crop up and I’m not sure how to deal with them.’

      ‘Don’t you have any family?’ Anna asked, handing a bright green block to the little boy.

      ‘No. I was brought up in care. There’s just Sam and me, but we muddle through as best we can.’

      ‘Well, you seem to be doing a fine job to me. Sam is a lovely little boy.’ Anna smiled at the girl but she couldn’t deny that her heart had started aching when she’d heard that. It had struck a bit too close to home. It was a relief when Ben appeared and informed them that he had finished seeing all his patients now.

      He checked Sam over one more time, crouching down on the floor beside the child rather than making him get up. Anna couldn’t help noticing how good he was with the little boy and how Sam responded immediately to his firm but patient approach. Ben Cole would make a wonderful father, she found herself thinking wistfully, then realised how dangerous a thought that was.

      ‘I’m happy that what happened was simply the result of his ear infection,’ Ben explained after he had finished. ‘I’m going to give you a prescription for antibiotics to fight the infection and drops to soothe the inflammation in his ears. But I want you to promise me that you’ll call the surgery immediately if you are at all concerned about Sam.’

      ‘I’ll do that, Doctor,’ Lucy agreed, getting up. ‘You don’t think that he’ll have another of those convulsions, do you?’

      ‘I’m ninety-nine per cent certain that he won’t as long as you keep his temperature down. But, as I said, if you’re at all worried, don’t hesitate to phone us.’

      ‘I

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