Alice just smiled at Sharon who returned it.

Steve the therapist left the two happy women to construct a plan.

Forty minutes later a positively giddy Alice was mentally preparing herself for sitting up and trying to persuade Dr Morgan and Steve to take part in her plan.

“Righto Alice how are you today?”

“Good thanks Doc.”

“Good. Steve here tells me that you are progressing well and Jane tells me you’ve coped well with sitting up in bed.”

“Yeh fine.”

“Ok well I know you are probably bursting to get out of that bed. Now baby steps ok. It is perfectly normal to feel nauseous as your body readjusts its positioning. All being well and you are happy though we’re recommending that you don’t sit up for too long to begin with. An hour to hour and a half maximum.”

“Ok” Alice listened intently than asked her all important question.

“Do I have to stay in my room or can I roam around a bit?”

Dr Morgan smiled slightly, knowing exactly where this was going.

“Well Alice I’ve spoken to Steve and Jane about this and given it careful consideration.” He tried to look as serious as possible.

“If you don’t feel nauseous or have any problems, promise to behave and let one of our fine nurses to go with you I see no reason why you can’t go downstairs and sit with Dana for an hour.” Dr Morgan concluded with a grin spreading across his face.

“Really!!?”

“Yes but please please promise to listen to your body, it’s a big step but can’t see what harm it will do and I understand it will probably do a lot for your recovery.”

Hearing this Alice was convinced that she would not feel sick and would be sitting next to her beloved tennis player in a matter of minutes.  She couldn’t wait!

“How was she mom?”

“Good, that young therapist man was in and seemed pleased with her. The doctor will be round later on to see her and she said she can’t wait till you can go and see her.”

Dana smiled a smile that even lit up her eyes.  At the moment only Alice’s company or talking about Alice did that, the rest of the time she was too tired to make the effort.