Nervous energy

On Saturday evening, I attended a ball at AirSpace at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford. 300 guests sat below the wings of Concorde, a Harrier Jump Jet and several Spitfires, raising money for Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust and Teenage Cancer Trust. The auction raised £15,500, and the surprise lot - and there always is one - was a course of 3 gliding lessons which went for £1,100. All those involved with Addenbrooke's hospital, including Mary, appeared a little nervous, because on Monday night they would be attending an HSJ (Health Service Journal) awards ceremony at Grosvenor House, where the hospital has been shortlisted in two categories, including the highest award of the Acute Organisation of the Year (Britain's No.1 hospital).