Alice walked down the ward, a trim, pretty sight in her deep blue uniform, her ginger hair worn up in a smart bun. She had not been a sister long – she was only 31 – but had been a popular choice.
She was understanding with both staff and patients, but stood no nonsense from either. Pausing only for a quick stop at the drugs trolley to collect a few things on a kidney dish, Alice walked briskly over to the 10-year-old’s bed. “Right Jimmy, what’s all this Nurse Groves tells me about you throwing your drink all over her?” “She’s a nasty cow! She tried to make me eat carrots. Yeuch!” Inwardly Alice was seething, but she managed to maintain an outward calm. “That isn’t a nice thing to say, you know. Nurse Groves only wants you to get strong and well again. Carrots are very good for you.” “She’s an old cow! An’ so are you,” spat the unrepentant youngster.