Grays Town Centre
The Doll Hospital is in the Giants world of Grays town centre.
My name is Arnold and I am broken.
I'm used to being special, but here there are lots of us broken dolls. I feel so uncomfortable standing close to everyone that sometimes I nearly fall off the shelf. But I don't want to lose any other bits of me. We all have bits missing. Heads broken, right arms broken, left arms piled up, and legs sawed off. I hear a girl crying because her toy horse has lost its mane.
I hear a man playing music outside the door. I hear the bell of the door ding every time it opens. The rattle of a sewing machine stitching torn dresses. I also hear the glue pot sludge every time it is squeezed. I feel nervous. The doll doctor is really nice, but sometimes he bangs on the table in frustration. Fixing us can be fiddly.
I look on the equipment tray. I see my arm and glue. It's my turn. I can smell bubblegum scented soap as I am lifted onto the table. I can't wait until my Leona Lily gets me back.
The paint on my new arm is fresh and clean. I have a bandage on my hand, in my favourite colour, blue. I feel better and safe. I smile at the other dolls to make them feel less nervous.
My name is Arnold and I am fixed!
From writing by students of Thameside and Chadwell St Mary Primary Schools
My name is Arnold and I am broken.
I'm used to being special, but here there are lots of us broken dolls. I feel so uncomfortable standing close to everyone that sometimes I nearly fall off the shelf. But I don't want to lose any other bits of me. We all have bits missing. Heads broken, right arms broken, left arms piled up, and legs sawed off. I hear a girl crying because her toy horse has lost its mane.
I hear a man playing music outside the door. I hear the bell of the door ding every time it opens. The rattle of a sewing machine stitching torn dresses. I also hear the glue pot sludge every time it is squeezed. I feel nervous. The doll doctor is really nice, but sometimes he bangs on the table in frustration. Fixing us can be fiddly.
I look on the equipment tray. I see my arm and glue. It's my turn. I can smell bubblegum scented soap as I am lifted onto the table. I can't wait until my Leona Lily gets me back.
The paint on my new arm is fresh and clean. I have a bandage on my hand, in my favourite colour, blue. I feel better and safe. I smile at the other dolls to make them feel less nervous.
My name is Arnold and I am fixed!
From writing by students of Thameside and Chadwell St Mary Primary Schools