A New Style of Education - Year Five

by Karen Page

Part 10

picture created using DALL-E

---

Part 10
Wednesday 10th March 2010

David was woken by his phone ringing. His heartbeat picked up as he reached out to grab it. The phone showed it was nearly 2am. Nothing good ever came from a 2am phone call.

David answered and put the phone onto speaker mode, so Helen could here.

"David and Helen," Mr Hobson's voice boomed out of the speaker. "Eugene has fallen ill. Can you both get dressed and meet me at his room?"

"We're on our way," called out Helen, already sliding out of bed.

They threw on some clothes and were soon sprinting towards Eugene's room. Eugene's bedroom was on the ground floor, so it wasn't as quick as if he'd been on their floor. There was a time for the no running rule, but this wasn't it. The bedroom was a hive of activity. Three of the psychiatrists were there, since they all had medical backgrounds. The school GP, Dr Sue, lived in Milton Keynes, so wasn't there.

Mr Hobson waved them across to the interconnecting door to Ben's room. "Helen. An ambulance will be arriving in a few minutes. Security have been informed and the gates are already open. Can you wait outside the front door and guide them in. David, can you keep Ben company. It's fine if he watches, but he can't get near Eugene as there is active treatment."

"What happen?" David asked Ben as they watched from the interconnecting door. Mr Hobson had left them and was kneeling near the prone student. Close to what was happening, but not getting in the way of the professionals.

Ben stood there for a few moments, not saying anything, not taking his eyes off the activity around Eugene.

"We sleep with the interconnecting door open. I woke up to Eugene throwing up and staggering around. He then collapsed."

Ben's voice started to falter but carried on, his words slightly mushed. "I pressed the emergency button on the phone and the nurse was here quickly. The others arrived a few minutes later. Why haven't they moved him to the school hospital?"

"Probably because it isn't wise to move him until they fully understand what's wrong. It might make it worse if they move him."

"Oh." Ben paused, wiping his snotty nose with the back of his hand.

"Why don't you get changed out of your night things?" suggested David, passing Ben a tissue. "I don't think you'll be going back to bed anytime soon."

Ben grabbed some clothes and disappeared into his toilet to change. Within a minute he was back out and joined David at the door linking the two bedrooms.

"He was complaining of a bad headaches since lunch but refused to get any pain killers."

"Have you mentioned that to anyone?"

"Yes, I told Tracy, who relayed it to the others."

"Well done. It might give them a clue."

"I wish I'd forced him to go to the school hospital. It might not have happened then."

"You can't blame yourself. You suggested it, and you can't force Eugene to do it."

Helen showed a rapid responder into the room. He had a big backpack full of medical equipment and was soon attending. Helen disappeared, to await the ambulance.

"Can we help?" a female voice asked behind them. David whirled round to see Zoe and Charlie.

"Hi Zoe. Can you make sure the corridor stays free. If others come out of the rooms, make sure they don't move between Eugene's door and the entrance. Oh, and if you see any from year zero, get them to come into Ben's room."

"Sure," she responded. Her voice soft and sad. It was nothing like the authoritative voice when she was conducting.

"Charlie, Helen is by the front door. Can you go join her just in case multiple vehicles turn up?"

"I'm on it," he replied, and disappeared.

"What are they doing?" Ben asked, as extra equipment was brought in by the nurses.

"I've no idea. But it seems that if Eugene can't get to the school hospital, the school hospital will come to Eugene."

"He's a really good friend," Ben uttered, after a few moments of silence. "Can I go with him to the hospital?"

"We can ask, but I think he will be having tests. It might be best to wait until tomorrow."

Blue flashing lights soon could be seen reflected off the bedroom curtains, though no siren was heard. Hopefully this won't wake too many students. The rooms were internally soundproofed, but activity outside could be heard. Some students slept light enough that this might wake them up.

"David," called Dr Ruiz. "Can you ring Helen. Get the paramedics to bring up the stretcher straight away."

This was the first time David had seen an ambulance at the school. Accidents sometimes occurred, but they were often minor. A broken arm was the worst he knew of. There was always a few of the school psychiatrists that stayed overnight, and in this case, it meant that Eugene got some prompt medical treatment. How much they were able to help, David was unsure.

"What caused this?" mused Ben to himself. "Did I do something to cause this?"

"Certainly not," responded David firmly. "You were there for him though. You saw he wasn't well and did the right thing. You called for help straight away."

"But why isn't he getting better? Shouldn't he be sat up by now?"

"He's ill," responded David truthfully. "If it was something minor there wouldn't be ambulances here. We can't pretend it isn't serious."

Ben moved to get closer to Eugene, but David held him back. "Let them work on him without having to worry about you. Let them give him their full attention."

Some of the items being performed, David recognised from the times he'd witnessed surgery, or been in the school hospital visiting one of his fellow pupils who'd fallen ill. But a lot was strange, and new. Every so often he would pick up a phrase, and sometimes he recognised it as something he'd come across. But mostly, it was all meaningless to him.

The paramedics were surprised at how much information was being relayed. Most of the on-scene checks had already been performed and it was their job to get him quickly to hospital for treatment. Once they were satisfied that they had all the information, and that Eugene was stable, they departed with Tracy Dine accompanying them. The year zero students, who had gathered in Ben's room, rushed to the window to watch.

David didn't feel the need to watch but stuck his head out of Ben's door to see the corridor packed. Students had woken up others, so they could all be part of the vigil.

"You should all be asleep," admonished Mr Hobson, but he didn't sound annoyed. "Since you are all blocking the corridor, let me give you an update. Eugene is being taken to Luton & Dunstable hospital. This is the closest specialist unit. I won't go into suspected conditions but just to say, this is very serious, and you shouldn't expect him back with us when you wake up in the morning. Hopefully we will know more soon, and I will be able to update you all at breakfast. In the meantime, go back to your bedrooms and try to sleep."

The headmaster didn't wait to see if they moved. He trusted they would do as they were told, and if there were any stragglers, the year heads would handle it. He turned back into Ben's room where the rest of year zero were stood around looking pensive.

"Now isn't a time to be alone," he said. "I will accompany you to your year room. Sleeping bags should be waiting outside the door. If you need to talk between yourselves then do so, but the sooner you're asleep, the sooner you will be awake to find out Eugene's status."

As the pupils left, Ben hung back. "Can I go to the hospital to be with Eugene?"

Helen went with the rest of year zero, leaving David, Ben and Mr Hobson.

Mr Hobson looked torn. "Eugene will be unconscious for a while and will be having tests. It isn't like you are going to be able to chat."

"We'll take him," said a voice at the door. They spun around to find Jill and Anna. They were dressed and had coats over their arms.

"Before I joined the school, my sister and mother were unconscious at the hospital," Jill reminded the headmaster. "I found it very comforting to have been there. "

"Fair enough," Mr Hobson sighed. He pulled out his phone and after a moment stated, "Box for key six will unlock for you. Ben, if it gets too much for you, then say so. They will bring you back."

"How bad is it?" he asked apprehensively.

"We won't know until they finished testing him. It is being treated as a stroke. What type of stroke they don't know, but hopefully the tests should reveal. They then can plan the best course of treatment for him."

"I thought strokes only happened in older people?"

"They are rarer in children but do happen. Now, are you ready to go?"

"Someone will come and relieve you in the morning," David promised to Jill. "Just let us know where you are."

David walked into the main entrance hall with Mr Hobson. "This is going to be a difficult few weeks," said Mr Hobson as they ambled along. "Who do you suggest replaces Anna and Jill?"

"I will, or Helen."

"Okay. But not until after breakfast and I want one of you here. Whoever goes, should have someone else accompany them from your year. They can drive the two girls back as I'm sure they won't have had enough sleep."

When they got to the year lounge, they had dragged in the box of sleeping bags and were moving their settees back.

"I'll stay," Helen said, sidling up to her partner. "You get some sleep. I think tomorrow is going to be a long day. Most of the school will be tired, worried and grouchy."

"Okay. But I'll then do the drive to Luton to relieve Anna and Jill."

"Good. I don't think this lot will go to sleep quickly, if at all. I don't think it'll be wise for me to drive."

"I agree with your plan," said Mr Hobson from behind them. The two head pupils gave a small jump, as they'd not heard him approach them.

Mr Hobson then turned to the younger pupils and pronounced. "I know this is all a bit of a shock. Dr Ruiz will answer any queries you have and will then leave you to sleep. She will be available if anybody needs her. Since you are without a year leader, Helen has offered to stay with you tonight."

"Where's Ben?" came a timid voice.

"Ben has gone with Jill and Anna to the hospital," Mr Hobson responded.

"What's wrong with Eugene?" came another query.

"Go to bed," said Helen quietly to David. "You've done all you can, and now you need to be rested enough to support Ben."

"Okay, I love you." He slipped out of the room and made his way through the deserted corridors to his room.

It had only been an hour since the call that interrupted his sleep, yet so much had occurred that it seemed like three. Sleep didn't come easy for David. None of the other pupils were alone. Most had their study partners, their ever-present school companion. Their comfort at times of stress or destress. Year zero were all together, with Helen as their companion for the night. David was alone. His only companion, the memory of Eugene unconscious and the phrases like GCS replaying.

Normally the first place any student went was The Lounge. That day was different. David didn't even go in but made his way to the chapel. He wasn't alone in that thought, and there were pupils from most years. David spied Helen sat with the rest of year zero and went to sit next to her.

"Did you get much sleep," he murmured after praying for Eugene's recovery.

"Some. They're all worried. There were lots of tears. I introduced them to the group huggle. It helped a bit."

More came in. Some of the younger years tried to pray but most just sat there unsure what to do. Emma saw this and stood, then in a clear steady voice, "Almighty God, our brother Eugene was taken ill. Guide those that are caring for him. Give them wisdom, skill and compassion so they treat Eugene, and all those they look after, with the gifts you have given them. Lord, in your mercy."

Everyone in the chapel murmered, "Hear our prayer."

"Help those that know Eugene during this difficult time. This isn't just his family at Hayfield, but his birth family who are also with him at hospital. Give them all strength during these difficult times. Let any hurt or strife that anybody felt towards Eugene be forgot and let them remember his as their loving child. Lord, in your mercy."

"Hear our prayer."

"O Lord, give this school peace and hope. It is a beacon in the night. A place where love and friendship can win over the horrors some have suffered. Please give those at this place the heart to continue while one of us suffers. Give them strength to withstand the scrutiny that must occur and your blessings to continue to help more that need it. Lord, in your mercy."

"Hear our prayer."

"Merciful Father," Emma concluded and the pupils recited, "accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen."

Emma sat, but the stillness remained. David thought it was an interesting way to focus the prayers of the pupils. It wasn't really the right way to use the intercessory prayer format, but a lot of the younger pupils hadn't picked up the skills on how to pray in a structured way. Perhaps it was time the vicar did another youth alpha course.

After a moments silence, David rose and said, "It's time for breakfast. I know some of you won't feel like eating. However, please try. It stops Mr Hobson from fretting."

There weren't any chuckles. Nobody was really in the mood for laughter, but it did get everybody moving. Mostly in silence, they made their way to the dining room. It was a little like when the children went silently in for gruel in the film of Oliver Twist. Only a little. The food was better, they were better dressed, and they were cared about. Helen joined her year, leaving a gap of two pupils in year zero.

"I have an update," said Mr Hobson standing before people grabbed what little food they thought they could get away with. "Eugene was taken to Luton which is a stroke specialist unit. It is confirmed that Eugene had an Intracerebral Haemorrhage. Scans showed there was blood pooled in his brain and after some medical intervention was transferred to Addenbrookes hospital. About fifteen minutes ago, he was taken to surgery. More updates will be provided when I have them.

"Dr Saunders has replaced Dr Dine to give Dr Dine more sleep. Eugene's mother is with him and will be joined by his father later when their other children are at school. She recognised Ben from descriptions in Eugene's emails and letters. She thought it would be good if he could hear Ben's voice, so Ben and Dr Saunders went to Addenbrookes. Jill, Anna and Dr Dine are back and are catching up on their sleep."

"There goes our plan," muttered Helen to David, referring to their plan of replacing Jill and Anna.

"The best laid schemes of mice and men," David muttered back, quoting a bit of Robert Burns.

There wasn't the same noise as a normal breakfast. The top year were without one of the support staff. The other years were being told in simpler terms what was happening to Eugene. As Brian went to get the food, Dr Sue came bustling in and joined their table. She was there to make sure the top year could ask questions.

"So, what did they do to find out he had the haemorrhage? A fundoscopic examination?" asked Lewis, thinking about the only time he'd heard about brain injuries.

"No, it isn't revealing in this circumstance. I'm not privy to his hospital details, but usually they perform a CT scan to see the bleed and how bad it is."

"And are they going to drill holes in his head?"

"A craniotomy is slightly more skilled than just drilling holes. This is very skilled work performed by a neurosurgeon, hence the transfer to Addenbrookes. They are a centre of excellence for neurosurgery."

"What's the chance of him surviving?" David enquired, getting the conversation away from Star Trek quotes. There were no gasps of surprise at the mention of Eugene not surviving.

"It depends on many factors. He is young, which is a big plus. However, it depends how big the bleed is, and how much of the brain has been deprived of oxygen. I don't like sugar coating things. An Intracerebral Haemorrhage is nasty and for him to be transferred and operated on as soon as he arrived isn't a good sign. If he does survive, he may not be the same person he was."

Nobody, even Lewis, ate their food with gusto. Eugene was part of the school, and for him to be so unwell made them all think about their own mortality. It must have been one of the only times since joining the school that food was returned to the kitchen.

As they were getting up to leave, David noticed Mr Hobson coming up to the year five table. "David," he said when he reached them. "I liked Helen's idea last night about you being a support to Ben. Would you be okay to drive to Cambridge?"

"Sure," David responded, glad he managed to get some sleep the previous night.

The trip to the hospital seemed to take an age, but it was only just over an hour. The traffic had been light which David had been quite relieved about. The satnav guided him straight to the hospital carpark.

The hospital signs were a bit hit and miss, but eventually he made his way to the ward that Mr Hobson had told him. The smell wasn't unpleasant, but it did have its own scent. It reminded David of the school hospital. Perhaps it was a medical thing, always trying to keep it clean and germ free. The door to the ward was locked and David had to wait for a doorbell to be answered.

"Hi David," said Ben when he spied the head student walk into the waiting room.

There were a few settees, which it looked like people could lie on. The rest with chairs that looked like they'd numb your bottom if you sat on them for more than ten minutes.

"Hi. You don't look too tired," David responded.

"I fell asleep earlier," Ben said, looking sheepish.

"On the settee?" guessed David.

"Yeah, I got a few hours. I've only recently woken up. Hilda's gone to the toilet."

"Good. You missed out on a lot of sleep. It's good you're here for Eugene, but you need to look after yourself too. We don't want you ending up in hospital."

"I wouldn't need to go far," Ben quipped.

David was pleased that there was some lightness still in Ben's attitude. "Is Eugene out of surgery yet?"

"No, they said it was going to be about five hours. Eugene's parents went to get something to eat."

"Have you eaten?"

Ben shook his head. "I don't feel like it at the moment."

Hilda came in as Ben was saying that. She said, "I know you want to be here when Eugene comes out of surgery, but it is going to be a few more hours. We will be told when he gets to recovery. If you aren't back by then, I'll send you a message. So go get some breakfast with David. It'll do you good to get away from hospital wards."

"Come," said David, gently steering Ben towards the door. "Let's go find what culinary delights the hospital café has."

The WRVS café was located where the map had shown. David just got a coffee, but he made sure that Ben got food and a hot chocolate.

"Why are you here?" Ben enquired, as he finished nibbling at a sandwich.

"For company. Jill and Anna were there for you at Luton. It must have taken a lot of persuasion for them to not come with you."

"Hilda said it was pointless. That he was going to be going to surgery and you or Helen would come. She was right. Has this ever happened at the school before?"

"No. There have been people ill. The worst I'm aware of was someone having an allergic reaction to latex while undergoing surgery."

"But weren't we tested for things like that when we started?"

"Yes, we were tested, but it didn't include a latex test until then. It is now a much more comprehensive test for everybody. There was also someone else with an allergic reaction. It was enough for them to end up in the school hospital, but not enough to get an ambulance. However, I'm told it was close that an ambulance be called and her taken to hospital. There have been a few broken bones over the years. It is a pain, but they are x-rayed, and the bones reset at the school."

"I've read a bit about what he has," muttered Ben, staring into his rapidly cooling hot chocolate. "He might not survive, and if he does it might be a long time until he gets better."

"True," David responded. Some might have felt he was being heartless, but what Ben was saying was true. It was pointless sugar coating it. It just led to a massive crash at the end with a worse feeling.

"If only I'd known."

"One of us could get run over by a crazed driver the next time we go outside the school. You never know what's going to happen."

Ben looked up at David, a shocked look on his face. "That sounds so depressing."

David shrugged. "Before I joined Hayfield, I wanted to kill myself. Now, I can't get enough of life and want others to get the best out of it as possible. Carpe diem."

"Seize the day," Ben muttered to himself. "How much of the helping you do at the school is because of the position as the lead pupil, or because of your attitude?"

David shrugged. "I don't think you would find anybody not like that in the top two years. We all work hard and play hard."

"What'll happen to Eugene if he pulls through and is impaired? Will he be removed from the school?"

It was David's turn to look shocked and a bit horrified. "I very much doubt it. I've never known Hayfield turn its back on a pupil, just because they have issues. They also give help to families of pupils. My mother had issues since she was a teenager because her sibling committed suicide. She shut herself away always blaming herself. The school helped her get counselling and she is doing a lot better. It also rubbed off on my Dad. He is now a foreman at work, where he was just getting by before."

"If he dies, what happens to me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Everybody at school has a study partner. Would I stay alone, or would a new person be assigned?"

David shrugged. "I'm not aware this has happened in the UK and what the school would do. I'm just a pupil."

Ben snorted and David raised one of his eyebrows. Ben gave a furtive look around. "You seem to have quite some influence. You also seem to be involved with other things, especially on the run up to our concerts."

"Is this something you've come up with, or a rumour that's spreading round the school?"

"I've never heard anything said about it, but I've seen others notice things. It's like an unwritten rule."

"Which you've just broken," pointed out David.

"Well, you asked," he retorted defensively.

"Very true. So, what do you think I'm up to?" David thought this would be a good way to find out if rumours of the Beta Team had spread to the lowest year.

"I've no idea. It's not just you though. Helen, Anna and Jill seemed to be involved. I thought it was just the four of you, but Luke and Tina also seem to do other things, but I can't tell if that is just because they're year leaders."

"Eugene's a year leader. For some reason your year decided on a single person rather than a joint leader. Prior to our year, it was always just a single person."

"Wasn't that when there was only eight in a year?"

"Actually, there were only eight in our year when Helen and I were made year leaders. Two joined a few weeks later."

"Who?" Ben enquired, eager for information.

"Something for you to research when you get back," David said with a small smile.

"Whenever that'll be," Ben said quietly, going back to his contemplation.

David sighed. His distraction had worked a bit, but now Ben was back to worrying. Which he supposed wasn't a surprise.

After a bit they went back to the ward. In the waiting room was just Hilda. She was absent mindedly playing with her necklace. "See, you didn't miss anything," she said. "I asked, and it seems that the surgery is going well."

Ben went off to the toilet. Seeing Hilda's gold necklace made him remember what Louis Jumelet had said in France.

"You look thoughtful," Hilda mentioned.

"Seeing your necklace reminded me of something. A puzzle someone asked me. Don't worry."

"Anything I can help with?" She placed her necklace back under her sweater. "A problem shared is a problem halved."

David thought for a moment. It wouldn't link back, and it might be innocent enough to be inconsequential. "What makes a gold chain shine on a cloudy day?"

She sat upright and stared at David. "Who said that to you?" she asked sharply.

David was shocked at her change of attitude. "Does it mean something to you?" he asked.

"Are you sure that was the phrase?"

"Word for word. What does it mean?"

"It is a recognition phrase. There are a few different ones, but that one means they're in trouble."

"How should I have responded?"

David watched Hilda take out her phone and dial a number. He didn't hear what was said, but Hilda responded, "He's still in surgery. I did what I could. David got asked the chain question but won't reveal who or when. He is asking what the response is… Yes, we're alone."

Hilda took the phone from her ear and put it on speaker.

"Hi David."

David's eyes widened in surprise as he recognised the voice. He glanced across at Hilda.

"David is stunned," said Hilda when David didn't say anything. There was a ring of slight amusement in her voice.

"The appropriate answer is 'a blue stream'. Now, who posed the question?"

"Louis Jumelet. He said he wasn't the person we think he is."

It was their turn for stunned silence. "The person I helped get arrested?" Hilda enquired after a few heartbeats.

"Yes."

The door opened and Ben came in accompanied by two adults. Hilda turned her phone off speaker and said, "I'll speak later". She hung up.

"David, this is Eugene's parents," introduced Ben.

"Mr and Mrs White," said David, standing up. He moved towards them and shook their hands, though his mind was still reeling from the conversation he'd just had with Hilda.

"David is one of the head students at the school. He came across to keep me company and probably out of trouble."

They all sat, each contemplating and praying for Eugene's health. A few other parents came into the waiting room, each worried and anxious as their child was having surgery.

* * *

"Are any of you waiting for news on Eugene White?" asked an elderly nurse, who had slipped into the waiting room.

Five pairs of eyes looked at her.

"Yes?" asked Eugene's dad.

"He's in recovery and will be on the ward in about half an hour. Mr and Mrs White, the surgeon would like a word about what he found during the surgery."

"Can Dr Saunders come too?" Mrs White asked.

"Dr Hilda Saunders," Hilda said introducing herself. "I'm part of the medical team at Eugene's boarding school."

"I think we should all hear what the surgeon has to say," said Mr White. "He lives at the school, and they should know what is happening."

The nurse looked surprised at that. "Okay," she responded hesitantly.

The five of them followed the nurse to another room. It was like the waiting room, just less seats.

The surgeon looked surprised as they trooped in and then he gave a warm smile.

"Hilda, this is a surprise."

"Tom," she said returning his smile. "This is Eugene's parents. Eugene is a pupil at the boarding school I work at. Ben is his school buddy, and David is one of the head pupils."

Tom nodded. "I'm Tom Marshall. I'm the neurosurgeon who operated on Eugene. As you are aware, Tom suffered a bleed on his brain. I was able to drain the blood. It appeared to have clotted, but we have performed a resection to replace the damaged connection. This apparent clot kept the blood flowing instead of flowing into the cavity. Hopefully the impact of the stroke on Eugene will have been reduced. I've never seen anything like it before."

"This bleed won't happen again?" asked Eugene's mother hopefully.

"Not from there. However, Eugene does have other malformations like the one that caused the bleed. The technical name is arteriovenous malformation. This is where the connections between the veins and the arteries are not normal. If blood isn't flowing through, then this can cause blood oxygen loss. Blood can also seep out which we call a haemorrhage. That is what Eugene had."

Eugene's mother started to cry, and her husband moved his chair closer to her, and wrapped a comforting arm around her.

"Are you saying it might happen again?"

"Yes. It might not happen for fifty years, or it could happen tomorrow. Perhaps it might never happen again. We just don't know. I wouldn't recommend going back in to proactively repair what we can see is damaged. We don't know which will cause issues, and messing with the brain can just cause more issues than it solves. Some malformations are buried, and we can't reach. We've already put him on anticonvulsant medication as seizure can occur post brains surgery."

"What about non-invasive techniques?" enquired Hilda.

"I was coming to that," Tom smiled. "There is a technique called Radiosurgery using what is referred to as a Gamma Knife. A dose of radiation is directed at the AVM. It takes time to work and follow up scans will be needed to follow progress. It also isn't something performed here. I can refer him to a centre in London if you want."

"Is it safe? Is it new?"

"It's been offered in the UK since the mid-eighties and is available on the NHS. Have a think about it, and if you want to go ahead, let one of the nurses know. There will be a comment about it on Eugene's file. Eugene should be up now."

As they filed out of the office, David heard Hilda say, "Great work as always, Tom. Say hi to Eve from me."

David remembered that name from several discussions he'd had with Hilda. Sometimes it can really be a small world.