‘Yes, Matron,’ the girls all breathed together, although Holly did think the little brunette on her right didn’t look too sure about it.

‘Whichever ward you are allocated to, you will do exactly as the ward sister tells you. I will stand for no fraternising or over-familiarity with the patients and I expect you to be spotless at all times. A large work apron will be supplied along with your uniform for you to wear when doing dirty jobs.’ She continued reeling off rules and regulations until Holly felt quite dizzy but at last they were sent on their way with Nurse Blythe. She was a plump, middle-aged woman who appeared to be almost as strict as Matron. She led them through the hospital to the supply room and, gauging their sizes, she began to issue them with their uniforms. They were given two navy-blue dresses with white pinstripes, each with crisp white collars and detachable white cuffs. Then came a large white apron with a red cross on the bodice. There was a white triangular headdress, which Holly had no idea how to fasten, and the work apron. Finally came a royal-blue cape lined in red.

‘You will be responsible for supplying your own stockings and sensible flat, black shoes,’ the nurse informed them. ‘And now I shall show you just one time how to fasten your headdress and then I expect you all to be changed and ready for duty in ten minutes. You may leave your day clothes in here until you go home just this once, they will be quite safe. Any questions?’

All three of them shook their heads, so approaching the little brunette, the nurse expertly showed them how to fasten their headdress before leaving them with the warning, ‘I shall be back in ten minutes exactly. Make sure you are all ready.’

‘Phew,’ the brunette breathed when the door closed behind her. ‘She’s a bit of a tartar, ain’t she? I hope all the nurses ain’t like that else I won’t last long.’ They all hurriedly turned their backs on each other while they got changed and just managed to be ready for when Nurse Blythe reappeared.

She tutted when she saw the state of the third girl’s headdress, which looked as if it had been fastened while drunk. She was a skinny, mousy-haired girl who looked like she wouldn’t say boo to a goose and Holly wondered how she would fare with such strict rules.

‘I’ll show you how to fasten it again just one more time,’ Nurse Blythe scolded. ‘But don’t make me have to show you again.’

At last they were all lined up regimentally in front of her and she eyed them critically. ‘I dare say you’ll have to do,’ she muttered as she stared down at the clipboard she was holding.

‘You, Worthing’ – she pointed to the brunette – ‘have been assigned to the children’s ward. Miller, you are on women’s surgical.’ This was the mousy-haired girl. ‘And you, Farthing, are on men’s surgical. Now follow me, all of you.’