When Dr Keith Bottomley arrived in the ward for his two o’clock round he found the charge sister, Barbara Green, in a surly mood. Seldom had he seen her give way to displays of emotion, but today something had got under her skin. He was surprised to find her dressed in white theatre gown, cap and gloves. “Lovely spring afternoon,” he remarked, by way of greeting. Her only reply was to shove white gown, cap and gloves roughly into his hand. Bottomley sensed that this was not the time to ask questions. It was apparent that he was expected to…