‘He didn’t have to,’ I said. I had that dreadful sinking feeling that comes from knowing a child has been abused.
‘No,’ Jill agreed, ‘but obviously the social services have to be certain. Amelia then spoke to Linda again and put to her what Kevin had said. She was very upset, but defended Eric. She said of course he bathed Kevin and put him to bed, it was what fathers did, and he was trying his best to be a good dad. She then suggested that perhaps Amelia had misunderstood what Kevin had said, which she hadn’t. Amelia asked her if Kevin had ever told her he didn’t want her to go out and leave him with Eric. She admitted he had, but that this was because – like many young children – he didn’t like his mummy going out, and it had nothing to do with Eric.
‘Then Eric came home,’ Jill continued. ‘Amelia thinks Linda had managed to speak to him on the phone while she’d been talking to Kevin, because he seemed prepared. He was unnaturally calm, considering the serious nature of the allegations being made against him – by Joss and now Kevin. He said Joss must have put Kevin up to it because she hated him so much, and Linda agreed. Although Eric was calm, Linda was distraught and kept telling Amelia that Eric did his best for the children. Eric asked Amelia what would happen now, and Amelia explained that she’d report back to her manager and she’d advise them of the outcome of that meeting. Yesterday afternoon the social services held a child-protection strategy meeting and it was decided that there were sufficient concerns to bring Kevin into care.’ Jill sighed. ‘There have already been too many missed opportunities to help Joss; they couldn’t afford to make another mistake with Kevin.’
‘What do you mean by “missed opportunities”?’ I asked. ‘Joss only disclosed that Eric had been abusing her at the weekend.’
‘Yes, but it seems Linda had told Amelia last year that Joss was making up lies about Eric – without giving any details. With hindsight, Amelia feels she should have delved further and asked questions about what Joss was saying, but because Linda was being cooperative and working with the department, and there was so much going on with Joss, it got missed.’
‘I can understand that,’ I said. ‘When I think of all the times Joss referred to Eric as a creep and how much she hated him, I wonder why I didn’t spot the warning signs sooner.’
‘Because you were so busy dealing with Joss’s challenging behaviour,’ Jill said. ‘Don’t blame yourself. Joss was a very angry young person, although of course we now know why. Her behaviour wasn’t only the result of her father’s death and her mother remarrying, but also because she was being abused by her stepfather and her mother didn’t believe her.’
‘Exactly,’ I said. ‘I feel I could have been more aware and should have better protected her, but that contract of behaviour didn’t help. I said all along that it was wrong to allow a thirteen-year-old out until late nearly every night of the week.’
‘Amelia sees that too now,’ Jill said. ‘She admits that with hindsight she would have done many things differently. She’s taken a lot away from this case and has been on a sharp learning curve.’
‘Her and me too,’ I said, ruefully.
‘Joss is going to need a lot of support, and it won’t be coming from her mother while she’s refusing to believe Joss and defending Eric.’
‘I know. I’ll do all I can. So when will Kevin come into care?’ I asked. ‘Pity I haven’t got a spare bedroom.’
‘Tomorrow, I think. We’re trying to find a carer in the area so Kevin can go to the same school.’
‘Joss keeps asking about him. She’s worried. Shall I tell her he’s going into care tomorrow?’
‘I don’t see why not, but let me ask Amelia first. I’ll be speaking to her again later today. I’ll phone you and let you know. Also, Joss will need to make a statement to the police about Eric. Amelia hopes she’ll be able to go with her, but if not she’s asked if you could go. I said I was sure you would. She’ll let us know the date as soon as she knows.’
I nodded. ‘What’s happening with the Zach and Carl investigation?’
‘They’ve been released from police custody, but we’re not expecting to hear anything further for some time, while the police investigate. I know Amelia has spoken to Joss about not having any contact with them, and she’ll let us know when she has the police report.’ Jill now dipped her hand into her bag and took out a pen and folder. ‘Before you give me an update on how Joss has been doing and we go through any other business, could I have that coffee, please?’
‘Yes, of course.’ I stood.
‘And a biscuit, please, if you have one,’ she added.
I paused and looked at her with a smile. ‘Jill, when have you ever known me not to have a biscuit in the house?’
‘Chocolate digestive?’
‘Absolutely.’
While Jill drank her coffee and ate the chocolate biscuits, which were not only her favourite but my family’s too, I updated her on Joss. She made notes and then went through her checklist of questions, which formed part of every supervisory visit and covered Joss’s education, her physical and mental health, contact arrangements, compliance with the care plan, times I’d had to use out-of-hours emergency cover and any changes in my household. Jill finished by reading and signing my log notes and arranging a date for her next visit. Reassuring me that I was doing a good job she left, saying she’d phone when she’d spoken to Amelia.
It was now after midday. I made a sandwich lunch, which I ate while reading through the printouts Jill had left on forthcoming training events. My thoughts kept returning to Linda and the anxiety and pain she must have been going through. Amelia would have notified her after the strategy meeting of the decision to remove Kevin and had probably asked her to pack some clothes and toys for him to take with him. How ever was she coping? I couldn’t begin to imagine. Her sorrow must be immeasurable and my heart went out to her. Yes, I appreciated that she’d failed to protect her children, didn’t believe them and was still siding with Eric, but she was their mother and was about to lose her second child, which was inconceivably heartbreaking.
Jill telephoned shortly before I was due to leave to collect Joss from school and said that Amelia didn’t want Joss told at present that Kevin was going into care; I should wait until after the move, when I could reassure Joss that Kevin was settling in. ‘To be honest, Cathy,’ Jill said, ‘we’re struggling to find a carer for Kevin. All our local carers are full. We may have to place him out of the county, which will mean either a change of school for him or a very long car journey to and from his present school.’ This was a familiar problem. There were never enough foster carers for the number of children coming into care, and sometimes children had to be placed many miles from their home and in an entirely different part of the country.
When I collected Joss from school she asked about Kevin almost immediately. I said Jill didn’t know any more, but she’d phone us as soon as she did.
Joss sighed. ‘So when can I see him?’
‘Amelia will arrange contact –’ and I nearly said ‘once Kevin is settled in care’, but stopped myself and said instead, ‘if Kevin is brought into care.’
‘But what if he isn’t?’ Joss asked. ‘What if he stays at home? How will I see him? I’m not allowed to go home because of the creep being there, and Mum doesn’t want me there anyway.’
‘I’ll ask Amelia,’ I said evasively, knowing that before long I’d be able to tell Joss the arrangements that had been made for Kevin. As it turned out I didn’t have to tell her – she found out, and in very distressing circumstances.
It was seven o’clock that evening. We’d had dinner and the children were now in various locations around the house, finishing homework, reading, listening to music or generally chilling out. The phone rang and Lucy, who was passing the phone table in the hall, answered. She then shouted through to Joss, who was in the living room, ‘Joss! It’s for you.’
I immediately left what I was doing in the front room and went to Lucy in the hall. She was
just replacing the handset as Joss picked up the extension in the living room.
‘Who is it?’ I asked Lucy.
‘Joss’s mother,’ Lucy said. She saw my face drop. ‘Sorry, I thought she was allowed to speak to her.’
‘She was. It’s OK, you weren’t to know.’
Although Amelia had previously said there was no reason why Linda couldn’t talk to Joss, that was before Kevin had disclosed abuse and the decision had been made to bring him into care. I hurried down the hall and into the living room. I would monitor the call and do what I could, but I knew straight away from Joss’s expression that Linda was already telling her the devastating news. I hovered indecisively for a moment and then sat on the sofa beside Joss as Linda continued talking and Joss listened, staring straight ahead, her face pale and her body tense. I couldn’t hear what Linda was saying, just the rise and fall of her distressed voice.
Joss looked at me, horror etched on her face. ‘They think Kev has been abused too,’ she said as her mother continued. ‘They’re taking him into care, but Mum is going to run away with him.’
‘She mustn’t do that,’ I said, even more concerned. ‘Tell her.’
‘Mum, listen,’ Joss tried, but Linda was sobbing. ‘Here, you talk to her,’ Joss said, thrusting the phone into my hand.
‘Linda,’ I said. ‘It’s Cathy.’
‘What?’ she blurted between sobs. ‘Haven’t you caused enough trouble?’
‘Linda, I’m trying to help. Don’t think about running away with Kevin; it will make things a whole lot worse.’
‘It can’t get any worse. I’m going to lose my other child.’
‘Linda, listen. Please. If you disappear with Kevin the social services will notify the police and they’ll have every police officer in the country looking for you both. They’ll alert the ports and airports, and when you’re found it will make your case a great deal worse.’
‘Case! You sound like one of them. Leave me alone. I wish I’d never been born.’
‘Think of Kevin and how distressing it would be for him if you ran away,’ I tried. ‘Nothing has been proven yet, and it may be that Kevin is allowed to return to you once the social services are satisfied he will be safe.’
‘I’m not taking that risk,’ Linda said, and the line went dead.
I immediately dialled Linda’s number, but she didn’t answer. Joss stared at me in horror, her eyes filling. ‘What shall we do?’ she asked.
‘Keep trying to phone her back,’ I said. ‘I’ll see if I can talk some sense into her.’
I tried again, but the phone rang and rang.
‘I’m going to have to report it,’ I said at last. ‘Did she say where she was going?’
‘No, only that she was going tonight.’
I now pressed the number for Homefinders. Michael, on out-of-hours duty that night, answered. I quickly told him what Linda had said and the circumstances leading up to it. Joss sat beside me, anxious and wide-eyed with fear.
‘I’ll phone the duty social worker straight away,’ Michael said. ‘They’ll contact the police. I suppose Linda and the child could still be at home. If not, they can’t have got far. And Joss doesn’t have any idea where they could be heading?’
‘No.’
‘All right. I’ll get back to you.’
I replaced the handset and looked at Joss. ‘That’s all we can do,’ I said.
Nearly an hour passed and then the duty social worker telephoned. ‘Amelia has given the police a description of the missing persons,’ he said. ‘Ideally they’d like a photograph. Do you have one?’
I thought for a moment. ‘I don’t, but Joss has a family portrait in her bedroom. It’s of her, her mother and brother. Will that do?’
‘Is it recent?’
‘Reasonably. Last year.’
‘It should do. Does she have one of her stepfather too? It seems he might be with them.’
‘No, she doesn’t. I’m sure.’
‘OK. Can you take the photo to the police station?’
‘Now?’
‘Yes, as soon as possible, please. And obviously if any of them contact you, phone us or the police straight away.’
‘I will.’
I replaced the handset and turned to Joss who, having heard the phone ring, had come into the living room. ‘The police have asked for a photograph. It’s usual with a missing person,’ I explained. ‘The framed photograph on the shelf in your bedroom – is that the only one you have with you?’
‘Yes. I’ve got a small one of my dad in my purse, but they’re not having that.’
‘They won’t need it,’ I said. ‘Just the one showing your mum and Kevin. We’ll have to remove it from the frame first.’ I knew this from having to supply a photograph previously when a teenager I was fostering went missing.
I went upstairs with Joss and we carefully removed the photograph from the frame.
‘I didn’t know you had a photograph of your father,’ I said gently as I put the frame to one side.
‘It’s just of me and him,’ Joss said quietly. ‘It’s one of the last ones taken. I keep it with me at all times. It’s like it makes me feel closer to him, as if he’s by my side.’
‘That’s lovely,’ I said, and I saw her eyes fill.
Downstairs I found a large, strong envelope to put the photograph in for protection. Joss wanted to come with me to the station, which was understandable. We quickly told the others where we were going and then slipped on our shoes and jackets and called goodbye. There was a chorus of ‘Bye’, ‘See you later’ and ‘Take care’. Outside, the night air was damp but not cold, typical of early autumn, and a slight wind blew.
As we climbed into the car Joss asked, ‘Is he with Mum and Kevin?’
‘The police think he could be,’ I said.
Her silence and look of anguish said it all.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The Endless Wait
It was 9.15 p.m. when we entered the police station – our second visit within a week. I recognized the duty officer at the desk from Saturday. He recognized us too and looked mildly surprised.
‘Good evening,’ he said. ‘How can I help you?’
We crossed to the counter and I explained that Joss’s mother and brother had been reported missing and we’d been asked to bring in a photograph. Joss slid the envelope across the counter.
‘I’m afraid I don’t know anything about this,’ he said. ‘Please take a seat and I’ll check with my colleagues.’
He took the envelope and disappeared through the door at the rear. Joss and I sat in the waiting area beside a couple of very talkative teenage girls who, we quickly learned, had reported their dog missing and were now checking to see if it was in the police compound.
Five minutes later the duty officer reappeared and called us to the desk. He said the officer who was dealing with the missing persons was on the telephone right now, but we should write our contact details on the envelope and he’d make sure he got it.
‘What will happen to my photo?’ Joss asked.
‘We’ll take a copy and circulate it. Then we’ll return it to you.’
He passed me a pen and I wrote Joss’s name and our address and telephone number on the envelope and handed it back. ‘Thanks,’ he said. ‘Someone will be in touch.’ And that was it. There was nothing more we could do but wait.
Joss was quiet as I drove home, but as we turned the corner from the high road I saw her attention go to a group standing on the street. ‘Do you know them?’ I asked.
‘They’re some of the crowd from Dave and Chelsea’s. I wonder why they’re out here and not at the flat. There’s always a party there on Thursdays. It’s when they get their benefits.’ Which presumably meant they would all know Zach and Carl.
‘Joss, you know you have to keep away from them and that flat,’ I reminded her.
‘Yes, I know. It used to seem like fun there, but it doesn’t any more.’
At home, Adri
an, Paula and Lucy had taken turns in the bathroom, so Joss was able to go straight in. Lucy was in Paula’s room, both of them waiting to hear how we’d got on at the police station. Matters affecting a foster child, positive and negative, impact on the whole family – we share and celebrate their good news and worry over the bad and distressing. While Joss was in the bathroom, I went to Lucy and Paula and reassured them that the police would find Joss’s mother and brother soon.
‘What will happen to them when they’re caught?’ Lucy asked.
‘Will Joss’s mum be put in prison?’ Paula wanted to know.
‘Hopefully not,’ I said. ‘Although she will be in trouble for taking Kevin away.’
‘So you can’t ever take us away?’ Paula asked, puzzled.
‘That’s different,’ I said. ‘We’re not being investigated by the social services. Kevin was considered at risk, and Linda has done the wrong thing and put him at more risk by running away.’
‘But she’s not a bad person, is she?’ Paula asked. ‘She’s not hurting Kevin?’
‘No, but she failed to protect him, which is why he was being taken into care.’
‘Protect him from that perv?’ Lucy asked.
Joss had clearly told Paula and Lucy what had happened, so there was no reason why I shouldn’t answer their questions.
Once the girls were as reassured as they could be – although none of us would be happy until Linda and Kevin were found safe and well – I said goodnight to Paula, while Lucy went to her room. I then said goodnight Lucy and finally to Adrian. He was in bed, reading by the light of his lamp.
‘Everything all right?’ he asked. Adrian had a different disposition to the girls and I knew he wouldn’t want all the details, just to know that Joss was OK.
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘Joss is getting ready for bed now. Are you all right? How’s the new term going at school?’