You Will Be Found

Chapter Four

The young nurse from before, Nurse Fane arrived, took one look at the situation and kindly helped me back into bed, explaining things on the way. Apparently, Mr Baxley – that is Mr Strange Man's real name – was sent by his Grandfather Mr Baxley Senior, to pick me up after my school exams and help me to a medical centre to see to my injuries. When I fainted near the school gates, he immediately saw the commotion and took responsibility to take me to the hospital where I'd spent the last four days receiving treatment, at their expense. I was relieved about that, because I didn't know how I was supposed to pay for all of this.

The pyjamas were new, and a gift for me once the young man saw what I'd been wearing in the hospital bed the first night I was admitted to the ward. I had found another two sets at the bottom of the cupboard when I found my school uniform and bag. Then Nurse Fane patted my hand as she explained quietly that it was a lovely elder female nurse who washed and dressed me while I was unconscious. That was a relief.

"Thank you. Sorry for bothering you." I whispered. She was stunned for a moment, then a soft look and a smile graced her lovely face.

"You're welcome, Honey. Just let me know if there is anything else you need. There are toiletries in the top drawer over there." She pointed to the bedside table that held the jug of water. "Now. How about some lunch? Your stomach hasn't had anything in it for a few days, so simple broths and a mild rice porridge should do the trick." I didn't want to tell her that it was probably a lot longer than that since my last meal. She got off my bed and pulled the tray table towards me and unpacked the cartons of soup and rice porridge.

It was white. The porridge was white and I could nearly cry. It looked so pretty. I looked up at Nurse Fane, then Mr Baxley who both nodded in answer to my unspoken query. The young man opened the containers in the other bag and pulled out a Thermos bottle of tea and a bag of grapes. Big juicy black grapes. My eyes went wide and I nearly reached for them before Nurse Fane reminded me to take things slowly.

"You need to pad your stomach with something light to eat otherwise it may cause problems if you begin eating everything and anything. Start with this." She passed me the round container holding the light soup.

It was delicious, and I took my time savouring all of it. I was full by the time she passed me the porridge. I took two small spoonfuls and put it down, rubbing my tummy. I stared at the almost-full porridge container in resentment. Stupid stomach. Stupid porridge.

"Full already?" Mr Baxley demanded and I flinched. He sighed as he realised I was still scared of him. "That's ridiculous. How can a growing girl only eat that much. Eat some more." He demanded. I began trembling again.

"Mr Baxley, I suspect she has been under-eating for a long time now, and her stomach physically cannot hold anything else or she will vomit it all up. I'll place the porridge in storage for her to take in a few hours." Nurse Fane ignored the 'Young Master' in the room, fussed about me again, like I was a cute young thing, and then pulled Mr Baxley out of the room for a 'talk'.

I quietly got up when I realised they were just nearby the doorway, and crept over to hear what was being said. Nurse Fane was speaking.

"She's is severely malnourished, showing signs of long-term malnutrition and it is highly likely that her home environment is less than stellar." I wanted to snort at that point. There was no home environment. It was just me, an empty basement, a couple of cardboard boxes and a mattress on the floor. At least I have a few good blankets to keep me warm at night.

"Can you give her something for the malnutrition? Give her some vitamins, or something?" He asked.

"Yes I can, as the Doctor has prescribed. She is taking all she needs via intravenous drip. Just give her time before you start piling on a three-course meal. She needs to eat smaller meals more frequently. Once her body is used to that, she can take on more each time. In no time she will be eating well and growing up strong." There was a distinct note of raising babies in her words and voice.