My mentor and friend died suddenly while I was at work. The memory of his kindness kept me going

‘It is difficult for me to absorb the shock all at once but Mike’s sister says something very generous – that in his years of greatest need, I was like a daughter to him,’ writes Ranjana Srivastava. Photograph: Westend61/Getty Images

We are going through the list of overnight admissions when my phone beeps. Expecting a medical request to do something or see someone, my chest cramps at the message.

I must be sufficiently distracted for the trainee to ask, “All OK?”