She stood, out of breath and frantic, wondering where on earth she was supposed to go to fetch her uniform, when she caught the terrifying sight of Matron approaching like an ominous man-o’-war in fully starched sail. ‘Why are you standing about here? Your shift began two hours ago.’ ‘There was an air raid,’ Danuta replied, determined not to be cowed by this woman. ‘I couldn’t come any earlier.’ ‘This hospital does not grind to a halt because of air raids,’ said Matron, puffing out her formidable bosom. ‘It is your duty to make sure you arrive on time.’ She eyed Danuta’s clothing with disdain. ‘Where is your uniform?’ ‘That’s what I was trying to find out, but …’ ‘Really, Chimpsky, it is your duty to find out things like this beforehand so you don’t waste valuable time.’ ‘My name is Chmielewski,’ Danuta said stonily. Matron’s glare hardened. ‘Go down those stairs to the basement, find Stores and put your uniform on. You will work an extra two hours at the end of your shift to make up for the time you have lost.’ She looked down her long nose.
