Malory Towers Break Barriers

The Recovery

Darrel spent her first night in the San. It was quite uneventful, but glad her dad was there to comfort her if she needed it. She knew that her situation was minor compared to Tori's. She was just recovering from an ankle sprain versus Tori recovering from emergency brain operation.

The privacy partition was still separating Darrel from seeing Tori. She understood that Tori was still at high risk of an infection. She saw her dad and Dr. Moore wearing their surgical garments and walk behind the partition. She wondered what they do to Tori behind the partition. All she thought was the usual stretching and maybe Dr. Moore making sure that Tori's brain was functioning properly as well.

When Darrel heard Tori crying, she wanted to go and comfort her. She knew Tori needed her treatment to help keep her legs strong. Darrel could hear them telling Tori that her bandages had to come off. They told Tori that her surgical wounds were healed enough that she didn't need the bandages anymore. Darrel thought to herself that it was a very good thing and that she could possibly be able to see her. She knew she had to stay off her ankle and stay in bed. She really want to see Tori though. Darrel didn't like hearing Tori crying. It broke her heart to hear her best friend so upset and in pain.

Just then, her dad popped his head behind the partition at her with his mask on. He lowered his mask to speak to her. He apologized to her for the noise. He told her that Tori was in excruciating pain after her bandages were removed. He told her that Tori was resting now. He then walked over to Darrel's bed.

Once he walked over to Darrel's bed, he saw that Matron made sure Darrel's ankle was elevated. He then called Matron over quietly not to wake Tori.

When Matron came over, she had a clean bandage for Darrel's ankle. She put it on the bed. Dr. Rivers then told Darrel he was removing the bandage. He undid the clip and carefully unwrapped it. Darrel winced a bit because it hurt.

Once the bandage was removed, Dr. Rivers passed it to Matron. She disposed of it. Dr. Rivers now examined Darrel's ankle. His hands were washed and ready. He took Darrel's left ankle in his hands. This even made Darrel wince. Her dad apologized and let her know it would get worse. She told him that she understood. Her ankle exam was about to begin.

It was time for Dr. Rivers to examine Darrel's left ankle. He had her left ankle in his hands. He knew it was only a day since her sprain, but he needed to see how it felt. He gently moved it around. Darrel winced in pain. He told her he understood it still felt tender as the sprain was still fresh.

The examination was over. He told her that he was going to put a clean bandage on. He wrapped Darrel's left ankle with a clean bandage. Darrel winced as it was put on as her ankle was straightened. She thought that this is what it felt for Tori when her clubfoot was straightened, but worse. Darrel could empathize with Tori regarding this.

Once the clean bandage was on, Dr. Rivers put Darrel's left ankle back on the pillow to keep it elevated. He told her to get some rest as well. He reminded her if she needed anything that he was there to help. She understood. She closed her eyes and went to sleep.

With both girls comfortably resting, Matron could assist Dr. Moore and Dr. Rivers clean up after their examinations of the girls. They cleaned up the San. Matron then asked Dr. Moore about Tori. She wanted to know when he felt it was safe for Tori to return to the dorm. He told her that he needed to test how well she stood and walked without feeling dizzy. He told her that he also needed to make sure she was safe walking on stairs. Matron understood that Tori's safety was paramount. She told him that she wouldn't question him again. They finished up cleaning in silence.

When the girl woke from their naps, Dr. Moore and Dr. Rivers attended to Tori first as she needed more care than Darrel. Darrel saw then walk passed her in their full surgical garments and went behind the privacy partition.