The Prisoners of Hartling

A weary but capable physician, fresh from the trenches, now tends the modest ailments of Peckham’s working‑class families. Though his daily routine is steady, the echoes of battlefield urgency still stir a restless ambition beneath his calm exterior. He dreams of a life beyond the cramped consulting rooms—perhaps a chance to make a broader impact or simply to find a little peace for himself.

When an unexpected letter arrives, he is summoned to Hartling, a remote country estate tied to a distant, ninety‑year‑old patriarch and a tenuously known family connection. The invitation promises a weekend of genteel conversation and the chance to recount his wartime experiences, sparking both intrigue and apprehension. As he weighs the allure of new scenery against the comfort of his familiar practice, the prospect of stepping into a world of wealth and tradition begins to reshape his sense of purpose.