"I think perhaps it were harder for the fact that I was so ill as well," Demelza says. "I could help so little. But the doctors are truly wonderful and it's so heartening to hear it's what you do as well. I expect you're wonderful with the children and parents both." Katie has been so warm and so kind, Demelza can't imagine she's anything but a very good doctor. Demelza's standards are high, believing Dwight Enys to be the most talented surgeon in all of Cornwall.

He would love Darrow, she believes. He would have so much to learn.

"She's yet to be truly ill since," she says with a smile. "For which I'm that grateful. I know it's yet to come, all children fall ill, but I think we would all be happy enough to wait some time before it comes again. Is it difficult? Seeing all those sick children?"