The scenario

Counter assistant Katie is serving a customer when pharmacy technician Vicky notices a plaster on her ankle.

“Have you cut yourself shaving, Katie?” asks Vicky.

“What’s that?” replies Katie. “Oh, my leg? No, it’s just a stupid beauty spot that started bleeding. I didn’t want to scare the customers if I accidentally caught it on something, so I thought I’d cover it up for work.”

“Fair enough,” says Vicky. “Has it been troubling you for a while?”

“Funny you should ask that,” states Katie. “It cropped up a few months ago – my boyfriend noticed it before I did – and it has been a bit bothersome. It’s bigger than most – perhaps it’s more of a mole? And it’s a bit speckly. It has felt a bit tingly, but I put that down to it being new and me being more conscious of it than I would be usually. It started bleeding a few days ago but I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about, just annoying more than anything else.”

“Hmm, I’m not so sure,” says Vicky, worriedly. “I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have it properly checked out.”