Chapter 21 – Aid

Alicia crouched by Timmy's head, while I tried to push the other kids back.

"Children! Timmy is ok; he just fell because he's sick, right! Now please move back!" But they kept milling around like sheep.

Then Julianne came out from the door. "Louisa, shall I get this crowd out of here?"

"Please! Go kids – line up and follow Miss Julianne!" I urged them. They slowly formed a line, clearly not wanting to miss the show.

"Come on children," she called to the kids. "Come on; let us get this sorted out. Please, come on!"

"But, what about playtime?" one asked.

Some were gawking, others with hands clamped over mouths in sympathy. I heard a chorus of oohs and yucks as well.

"Oh, Bobby! Later – we'll work something out!"

He gave me a smile and I hoped I hadn't planted an unrealistic expectation.

Alicia interrupted my thoughts. "I don't think Timmy's quite as twitchy as before. Do you think?"

He lay there, now just slightly quivering. "You may be right." I knelt and touched his face. "Still burning up, though." I winced as the tarmac bit into my knees. "And so much for these pantyhose."

"Comes with the job, Louisa! And how many times have you been thrown up on this year? I've lost count myself." Alicia shook her head. "They never tell you that in college."

"Yeah." I answered. "And the pay is great."

We laughed together.

Alicia looked up and yelled. "Here he comes!"

Yes, here he comes. This grey clad, buttoned up, grim faced doctor; Doctor Martin Ellingham. I was very glad to see him.

"Children, go back inside!" Alicia said. "Now!"

- x -

I raced down hill then up again. I've been asked more than once why I don't drive my car from the surgery to the Portwenn Primary School when these things happen. Firstly it's not that far. Secondly, the streets are narrow and I can never be sure the slipway in the harbour won't be blocked by traffic or a boat, and thirdly, it keeps me fit. At Imperial Hospital I was know to dash from one end of the building complex to the other in three minutes flat. I've made this run, literally, so many times I know that from surgery door to the school is a four minute expedition.

My visitation case banging against my leg, I made good time – the downhill being always faster than uphill. At one time I would have been able to compute the energy I expend, both the biological and physical kind, in these jaunts. And my leather shoes weren't at all suited for this, but I couldn't very well wear trainers, now could I?

But as I trotted uphill, that went to the back of my mind as I wondered what might face me.

I hadn't been given much information: Vomiting – any sort of bacterial or viral illness or gastric upset, Fever – more of the same unless there is some underlying disease process, and Twitching or having a fit – epilepsy, brain tumor, head injury, drug or toxin ingestion, or a high fever.

I went thru the vehicle barrier at the edge of the playground past a milling group of students by the door, but this side of them, there was one green clad figure on the ground, with two adults next to him. Louisa and what's-her-name from the playground last week were kneeling by the kid. I parked my case, and dropped to the ground by the child's head. It was a boy aged about ten or eleven.

"Louisa?"

"Martin!" she said.

What's-her-name opened her mouth "Doctor Martin, we were just coming through the doorway – playtime – and Timmy stumbled, tripped and fell, he vomited a bit. The he started writhing and twitching. It's been a few minutes."

I rolled the kid onto his side, feeling his ultra-warm body in the process. "You must remember with a possible head injury or vomiting to place the patient on their side, otherwise the stomach contents can be inhaled causing…"

"Yes, Martin," answered Louisa. "I was just about to…"

"This child has a high fever!" I yelled. I dropped the side of the case, and took out the aural thermometer.

"And…" began the nameless woman.

"Stop! You, what's your name?"

"Alicia."

"Alright, Alice…"

"Martin, this is Alicia!" interrupted Louisa again.

"Alright whatever, have someone get some ice!" the thermometer beeped and I squinted to read it in the bright light. "The child has a temperature of 39.5!"

"That's over a hundred and three," cried Alicia.

Louisa answered. "Whatever, do as he says!"

The woman sped off.

"Martin, what's wrong…"

"This is a seizure!" I'd just looked into his eyes. No obvious signs of blown pupils from head trauma. But the oozing spots on his face were giving me a bad moment. "The uhm…" I paused and fought for a moment with my innards.

"Martin? Hang on… I'll..."

I held up my hand in her face. "Gah… uhm, argh, yes. The high body temperature, likely a febrile seizure, caused by his body temperature." I held his arm for a moment. "Tremors are easing off. I don't see any head injury, other than the… scrapes to the um… face." I saw a flicker of an eyelid. The eye snapped open and roved around as I felt a flood of saliva fill my mouth.

Louisa saw it too. "Timmy? You've had an accident. Doc Martin is here! You'll be alright!" She had switched into teacher mode.

"You don't know that!" I hissed at her. I gulped hurriedly; something was happening.

"Yes, I do! You're here."

I heard a siren approaching and tires screeched to a halt. PC Penhale came trotting across the yard. "Doctor! What we got here?"

"Looks like a seizure Joe, have you called for ambulance?" I tried to stop what was about to happen.

"Yes, ambulance is on the way. Maureen called and I was just at the top of the hill. They said they'll be here in ten minutes. Poor little bugger - those face wounds look right nasty!"

I held up my hand for him to stop, but it was no use. I spewed breakfast across the pavement, barely managing to miss Louisa with the stream. I heaved once then wiped my mouth. "Sorry, just … no more… about…"

"Sorry, Doctor," went on Joe. "I forgot."

- x -

Poor Martin. Try as he might, he does get sick. The scrapes on Timmy's face weren't that bad, but the one on his check was trickling blood. "Martin, give me a bandage." He did and I pressed the white gauze onto his bloody cheek.

Martin looked at me with those eyes of his. "Louisa… thanks…"

"Don't mention it, Martin. Anything I can do to help."

He turned his grateful eyes toward me, just as a screech came from inside the school.

"Joe! Find out what that's about!" Martin directed.

Penhale got up and trotted over to the doorway. "Doctor," he yelled, "you won't believe this! Better come here! Quick!"

Martin looked at me with authority. "Louisa, stay with…"

"Of course!"

"Doctor have you ever seen anything like this?" I heard Joe shout.

Doctor Martin Ellingham groaned. "Oh God, no!" he yelled.

Then Joe shouted again, "Oh no! They're all throwing up!"