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Edinburgh they'd say, "You'll have had your tea." Or so it's said...'
    'Aye, that's the one, though I'm bound to say I've met some real nice Edinburgh folk in my time,' Senga confided, causing chuckles all round.
    'But I've no' come here just for a blether,' she said reprovingly. 'You'll be wanting to-know how I'm tholing your latest bit of handiwork, Mr P. Well, it's just fine. See?' She stretched and bent her elbow several times. 'I'm full o' spare parts he's put in,' she told Yona. 'He's awful clever, ye ken—for a Sassenach,' she added provocatively.
    'Any more of your cheek and I'll send you back to Glasgow for the next new bit you need,' Mike threatened good-humouredly. 'But, while you're here, I suppose we'd better check you over.'
    Yona stood by and watched, thinking what a good team these two men made—even if they had forgotten her for the moment.
    When Senga Taggart left, Mike went with her without another glance in Yona's direction. She was surprised at the strength of her resentment.
    'Well, that concludes the first part,' said Ted. 'And now we've got...' he counted the folders '...six new patients, and four of them referred as query rheumatoid arthritis.' He paused. 'Something we know everything about except the cause, despite all the theories flying around. I'll just carry on as usual if that's all right with you, Yona, but just you butt in if there's anything you want to ask,' he invited as he pressed the buzzer on his desk.
    In the space of the next three hours six patients came and went—and all of them were as obviously impressed by Professor Burnley's painstaking approach as Yona was.
    'Now, then, tell me how what you've seen so far today compares with what you're used to,' he commanded when the clinic was over.
    'Would you think I was dodging the issue if I said it feels just like home?' she asked.
    'Not at all—I'd be flattered. Go on.'
    'From the small sample of both in- and outpatients I've seen, the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis appears similar—as are your treatment methods.'
    'It's good to have one's regime endorsed from such a source,' he said, but worrying her again if only he'd known it. But he probably meant Edinburgh in general and not her father in particular. Dr MacFarlane senior was an eminent neurologist.
    'I was very impressed by the way you picked up that dermatomyocitis two patients back,' he was saying.
    'Were you really?' she asked, surprised. 'I thought it was pretty obvious.'
    'To the specialist observer maybe—but the GP had failed to spot it.'
    'Is that so surprising?' she asked. 'It must be horrendous to be in general practice and never know what weird disorder is coming through your door next. At least in hospital we're sticking to the same kind of disorder—most of the time anyway.'
    'That's very true,' he agreed. 'You're a bright girl, Yona MacFarlane, and I can see you're going to be a great asset to the team.' He glanced at the clock. 'Not quite six, so an early finish for once,' he said. 'I'll do the letters for this lot while it's all fresh in my mind, but you may as well take yourself off now. I hope today hasn't been too confusing for you.'
    'Heavens no! I've enjoyed every minute. Good evening then, Ted—and thank you for making my first day so pleasant and easy.'
    'The pleasure was mutual,' he assured her.
    Pleasant and easy, she thought, going to get her car. That wasn't completely true, was it? I have a feeling I'm going to have to watch my step with that man Preston...
     

CHAPTER TWO
    On Yona's third morning at Salchester Royal Infirmary, Sharon Lee came into her consulting room and laid a bulky package on her desk. 'Details of a few flats in decent districts fairly nearby,' she explained. 'I can get you some more if there's nothing suitable.'
    By then the first clinic patient was being ushered in so, with a smile of thanks, Yona laid it aside. She also smiled at the patient, but got a frown in return. 'I always see Dr Redmond,' said the patient, a