"It's appendicitis Rachel."

"Do you need me to come down? It'd be better than you being sat there on your own Max." It was clear that Rachel was worried both for her colleague and pupil. Max knew that Rachel was right and agreed for her to come, "I'll meet you at the main entrance."

The father then reentered the hospital and made his way to the main entrance. It seemed like he was waiting an eternity before Rachel finally arrived, still in what she was wearing earlier in the day when he last saw her at school.

"Are you okay Max?" Rachel placed a hand on his shoulder and could clearly see that he had been crying, "Come on. Let's go and get a drink." Max stood up and walked with Rachel to the canteen.

"Thanks Rachel." Max accepted the coffee that Rachel had got him and took a sip before letting the drink calm him down a bit.

"You've done everything you could have done Max. You spotted what was wrong and did the right thing. If you hadn't done what you did, Pandora would be in a worse state than she is now." Rachel knew that she had to make sure that Max saw the positives about what was happening by being optimistic.

"I know. I've got to be strong for her. Can you tell everyone at work tomorrow?"

"Of course. I'll say whatever you want me to say."

"Just be honest with them. Me lying isn't going to earn their trust."

Rachel smiled encouragingly and took a sip out of her drink. She was glad that Max wanted her to be honest with everyone tomorrow. She knew, this morning, that Max was a changed man and it was here to stay.

"If anyone was going to help me change, it was Pandora. You as well."

"Why me Max? You've barely known me a term."

"Because if anyone can prove that change is possible, it's you. You had to make your living off your back and now look where you are. A popular headteacher who anyone can confide in. If that isn't change, I don't know what is. If it wasn't for you, I would still be mistreating my own daughter and I still would be the bully of the school." Max told Rachel before a doctor approached the two and had to interrupt their conversation.

"Mr Tyler?" I then looked up at the doctor who looked as if he had some important news, "It's good news, she's pulled through. The anesthetic hasn't worn off just yet but she'll wake up within the next few hours. She won't be able to go home for a few days just so we can check that everything went fine." Max then had a big smile on his face and thanked the doctor. Rachel and Max then got up and followed the doctor to the ward where Pandora was being kept.

The three of them entered the ward and went to bed 3 to find Pandora fast asleep. The doctor left the two of them to it, "Do you want me to stay Max?"

"It's fine. I think I just needed someone whilst I was waiting for the news."

"If there are any problems or you just want to talk, ring me. I'll let the staff that you're both fine."

"Thank you Rachel." He was now sat by his daughter's side, prepared to wait however long it took for her to awake.

The next morning at school

"Morning everyone. I need to talk you all." Rachel was in the staff room and, as if a teacher in a class full of kids, was trying to take control. Everyone stopped what they were doing and all eyes were on Rachel.

"Now. If there is any teacher who isn't here now, you will have to pass this message on to them. As you are all aware, Max was at bowling last night with Pandora. Unfortunately, Pandora fell ill with appendicitis. She's had the operation and has pulled through but neither her or Max are going to be in school for a while. Max is keeping me updated and I'll give you the details as I get them."

"Are they both alright?" Kim, who had been dating Max until only recently, asked obviously concerned.

"Pandora is recovering from the operation and as long as she is alright, I know Max will be. I'm going up to see them both after school today so if there's anything you want me to say or give them, just give it to me and I'll pass it on to them."

"If someone will cover my classes, I can make a card before lunch and then anyone who wants to sign it can do." Kim offered.

"I'm sure we all could between us." Steph then put herself forward, "I can cover for most of the day anyway. I just need someone to cover until break."

"I'll cover. I'm not teaching until after break." Chris then put himself forward too.

"Thank you everyone." Rachel then went to her office and cracked on with her paperwork whilst Kim went to her room to get everything she would need.

Lunchtime

Rachel had just finished the paperwork that she needed to catch up on and decided to see how Kim was doing with making the card. She went to her room to find Kim putting the final touches to it. It was a crimson red with the school logo in the corner and the words, 'Get Well Soon Pandora!' in a bright purple. Kim had left the inside completely blank so all the staff could sign it.

"Well done Kim! It looks amazing." Rachel complimented her colleague as Kim put her equipment away. They now had to get it to the staff room so everyone could sign it. That didn't take much doing since all the pupils were outside anyway.

They entered the staff room and placed the card down on the coffee table and left a few different coloured pens so the messages were separated.

Kim signed the card first saying, 'Get well soon Pandora and hope to see you soon :)' Chris then signed the card with a similar message, 'Get well soon Pandora and I can't wait to see you back putting smiles on everyone's faces.' Everyone then took their turn signing it. Rachel was the last to sign it and put, 'Lots of love from the staff and pupils. We hope to see you back in school soon! We all miss you!'

"Thank you everyone, especially Kim, Steph and Chris. Max and Pandora will be delighted."

Author's Note: Turns out those who guessed were right! Thanks to StellaPriceFan, grangehilllover & CSI Encyclopedia for reviewing the last chapter. One part of this chapter (Max telling Rachel that she's living proof that change is possible) was part of an idea that StellaPriceFan had given me via PM so credit has to be given where it is due!

Thank you to all of you who are reading, following and reviewing this story as I am having quite a lot of fun writing it!

Danni x