Page 99 of Don't Tell Teacher

Is he waking? He’s waking …

Tom squints, trying to shield his eyes from the bright lights. Confusion swims in his sleep-crusted eyes. He is startled. Afraid. But he’s awake.

The relief is incredible.

‘Tom.’ I take his hand in mine. ‘It’s okay. You’re in hospital again, love. Oh thank God.’

‘Hello, Tom,’ says the doctor.

Tom blinks sleepily, gingerly touching the cannula in his hand.

‘How are you feeling?’ the doctor asks.

‘Sick,’ says Tom, his voice rough as pebbles. He looks at the cannula.

‘You passed out, Tom,’ says the doctor. ‘It tells us something still isn’t quite right. Maybe we can get some answers this time. Now, take things nice and slowly, but can you remember what happened before you fell down?’

‘We were in the play park,’ Tom croaks, rubbing his eyes. ‘I was with Granny.’

‘Is that the lady who was here earlier?’ the doctor asks.

‘Yes,’ I reply. ‘She followed the ambulance here. But the bright lights gave her a migraine, so she went home to rest.’

‘If she saw Tom before, it would be good to talk to her.’

‘Yes. Yes, that makes sense. I’m sure she’ll be back soon. But please understand. There are some difficulties in our family. How many days will Tom be kept in, do you think?’

‘Two, at least,’ says the doctor. ‘But we’ll move him to an open ward at some point. He’ll have his own TV and some toys to play with. More space too.’

And less security.

‘We need to be transferred,’ I say, my voice reaching oddly high notes. ‘To the general hospital near our home.’

‘Mrs Kinnock—’

‘I’mMissRiley. Please. You have to listen. We can’t stay here on an open ward. Tom’s grandmother isOlly’smother. My ex-husband. Olly is … a violent man. There’s a restraining order against him. Margaret always means to help, but if she accidentally tells him we’re here …’

The doctor glances at the nurse. ‘I suppose … let me see what I can do.’

‘And this bump on Tom’s head,’ I say. ‘We need to be sure everything is transferred – all the information, everything. Even the tiniest detail.’

Without looking up, Doctor Ramir says, ‘Tom. Do you know what could have caused this bump on your head, then? Get into any fights or anything like that?’

Tom doesn’t reply. He just looks frightened.

‘There’s a bump on your head, Tom,’ I say gently. ‘What happened?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Tom.

‘Well, look.’ The doctor stands. ‘Let’s check everything over today. And hopefully in a few days, time we’ll have some answers and he can be back at school.’

‘No,’ I say. ‘I don’t want my son anywhere near that school right now. Not until we’ve found out more about this head injury. If it didn’t happen when he fell …’

The doctor eyes me seriously. ‘I have to tell you, social services will take a very dim view of you keeping Tom off school. They’re involved with you already, aren’t they?’

I look back at him, anger flooding my bloodstream. ‘Are you saying that I can’t even keep Tom off school now? I don’t have that choice as a parent?’

‘Parents have very few choices when it comes to education,’ says the doctor, looking down at his clipboard. ‘It’s a legal requirement.’

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