She looked so pleased, I could have hugged her, then she sat heavily on the beanbag and the air escaped with a loud whoosh. She laughed and I saw Alex smile. He was watching her closely and I’d answer any questions he had about her condition later.
‘Read story,’ she said, holding up the picture book she’d brought in.
‘I think Kaylee would like to read you a story,’ Gwen said to Alex.
Alex shook his head shyly.
‘Perhaps a little later,’ I said to Kaylee.
‘Later, love,’ Gwen told her.
She put the book on the floor beside her and reached over to pat the dog. ‘Story later,’ she said. I hoped she wasn’t disappointed.
The door opened and Mark stuck his head round. ‘Dad, Taylor says the shower still isn’t working properly.’
‘Tell him I’ll look at it again later, not now. He had a shower this morning, and by the time he’s emptied a can of deodorant over himself no one’s going to notice.’ I smiled.
‘We couldn’t get him in the shower when he first came,’ Gwen said fondly. ‘And now we can’t get him out of it. He’s taking his girlfriend out later.’
‘Tell him to make do for now,’ Gareth said to Mark.
Mark turned and, with one hand still on the door, yelled the message up the stairs behind him.
‘That wasn’t quite what I meant by “tell him”,’ Gareth remarked dryly. I smiled again. The warmth and affection this family felt for each other was palpable.
‘Are you going to join us?’ Gwen now asked Mark.
‘Yeah, I just need a glass of water.’
‘Would anyone else like a drink?’ Gwen asked before Mark left the room.
‘I’m fine, thanks,’ I said. Alex shook his head.
‘You could bring me a glass of water,’ Gwen said. Mark nodded and disappeared.
‘Read now?’ Kaylee asked her mother.
‘Not yet, love, a bit later.’
‘Later,’ she said, and smiled at Alex.
Alex was looking a bit bemused by all the comings and goings, but we were here so that he could start to get to know his new family, and this was giving him a good feel for what life would be like with them. Did I have any reservations despite their warmth and hospitality? Yes. How would Alex fit in – with what was already a well-established and successful family unit? I hoped that would become clear in time as the introductions proceeded.
Mark reappeared with Gwen’s glass of water and handed it to her.
‘Alex might like a game on your PlayStation,’ she suggested to him. ‘But a suitable game, mind you.’ There was then a discussion on what Mark considered suitable for a seven-year-old – which didn’t match Gwen’s idea – until they finally agreed on a suggestion of Gwen’s. The name of the game didn’t mean anything to me, as we didn’t own a PlayStation.
‘Come on then,’ Mark said to Alex. He went halfway down the room where a small table containing a screen with a consul beneath stood against the wall. Mark pulled up a second chair from the dining table.
Alex hesitated. ‘It’s just there,’ I encouraged him.
‘Come on,’ Mark said, switching on the PlayStation.
Alex stood and went over to join him. Mark gave him a handset and then showed him how to work it. Gwen, Gareth and I began chatting, while Kaylee was content to mainly watch and listen, and occasionally stroke the dog. A few minutes passed and then the door opened again and a taller, more solidly built lad came in, dressed in freshly laundered jeans and a white T-shirt. ‘Dad, the shower’s still not working, the water just trickles out. I was in there for ages.’
‘I’ll see to it later,’ Gareth replied. ‘Taylor, this is Cathy and over there is Alex.’
‘Hello, nice to meet you,’ I said.
Taylor threw me a friendly nod and then looked down the room to where Mark and Alex were playing. ‘Hi!’ he called.
Alex turned and smiled shyly. Taylor was standing just behind Kaylee and ruffled her hair.
‘Don’t do that,’ she said, pulling a face and smoothing her hair. She tried to smack his leg, but he jumped out of the way with a laugh. Rupert looked up.
‘Taylor, don’t tease her, I’ve told you before,’ Gwen said lightly.
‘Don’t tease me,’ Kaylee said, but it was all in good humour.
So the normal interactions of a happy family continued, unscripted and slightly chaotic, but relaxed, easy and non-judgemental. There was no pressure. It felt as if everyone could be themselves. Taylor joined Mark and Alex at the PlayStation while the adults continued chatting. When Alex began letting out little yelps of delight and sighs of exasperation as he won or lost points I knew he was relaxing too. Rupert didn’t stir. Then suddenly Gwen looked at her watch and exclaimed, ‘It’s six-forty already. I need to show you around the house, then I expect you’ll be ready for a cup of tea and a slice of cake.’
‘Yes, please,’ I said.
I had to persuade Alex to leave the PlayStation. Mark said they could play again later if there was time. ‘Or on your next visit,’ I added.
We left Mark and Taylor finishing the game and Rupert still spread out on the floor by the armchair. Kaylee went with Gareth into the kitchen while Gwen, Alex and I remained standing in the centre of the room.
‘So this is our living and dining room,’ Gwen said, waving her arm to encompass the room. ‘Every so often we have a big tidy up, but then it fills up again.’
‘It’s cosy,’ I said.
‘You could say that,’ she said with a laugh, and then opened a door to our left. ‘Through here is what we call the study or quiet room.’
We stepped into a small room that was as comfortable and cluttered as the living room. It was at the rear of the house and looked out to the garden. It contained a small desk with a computer, a couple of folding chairs, a beanbag, half a dozen plastic toy boxes stacked against one wall and more overflowing bookshelves on the other wall. The wood in here had been stripped too, exposing the Victorian pine, and a brightly coloured circular rug lay in the centre of the floor. Gwen then led the way into the kitchen, where Gareth was filling a kettle and Kaylee was arranging two large sponge cakes on plates.
‘I thought I could smell baking when we first came in,’ I said. ‘They look delicious.’
‘Thank you,’ Gwen said. ‘Kaylee and I made them earlier. Do you like cooking?’ She asked Alex. He nodded.
Alex had now fallen quiet again and as Gwen led the way into the garden he slipped his hand into mine. Immediately outside was a paved patio area with potted plants, a large wooden picnic table and a rabbit hutch, in which sat Flopsy, nose twitching in the evening air. The rest of the garden was mainly lawn; there was a swing at the far end and also a rabbit run – empty at present. A shed stood partway down to the left and resting against it was an adult bike. I saw Alex look at it, but he didn’t say anything. Then a ginger cat that I recognized as Tom appeared from behind the shed and leisurely strolled towards us.
‘Here comes Tom,’ Gwen said. ‘I wonder what mischief he’s been up to.’
Tom came right up to us, rubbed around our legs once and then went indoors. We returned inside too, passing through the kitchen, where under the watchful eye of Gareth Kaylee was carefully slicing the cakes. Tom was now at his food bowl, eating. As we followed Gwen upstairs she explained that Mark and Taylor shared one of the double bedrooms and she and Gareth the other. Kaylee had one of the two single rooms and Alex would have the other single. Alex slipped his hand into mine again as we went into what, in about two weeks, would be his room. It was decorated in neutral beige and contained a single bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers.
‘It looks a bit plain now,’ Gwen said to Alex. ‘But once you have all your belongings in here and posters on the walls, you’ll make it your own.’
‘You allow posters on the walls?’ I clarified, as I knew Rosemary and Edward hadn’t.
‘Yes, of course. Wait until you see the boys’ room!’
A
lex and I had a quick look out of the window, which overlooked the garden, and then we followed Gwen into the room next door – Taylor and Mark’s room. My question about posters was answered! All the walls, from floor to ceiling, were covered with large colourful posters, some in 3D. They ran behind the shelves and disappeared round the back of the wardrobe and chest of drawers. Posters of vintage cars, capital skylines, football teams and individual players, Marilyn Monroe, London’s Tower Bridge, boybands, movies and TV shows – Star Wars and Doctor Who featured heavily – and in one corner a collection of scantily clad ladies with large breasts.
‘Not for your eyes yet,’ Gwen said, lightly placing her hand over Alex’s eyes. He chuckled.
We had a quick look in Kaylee’s room, which was decorated in her favourite colour – pale yellow – and was very neat and tidy. Then Gwen briefly showed Alex her and Gareth’s room while I waited on the landing. We returned downstairs to the living room, where the table was now laid for tea; the two sponge cakes, evenly sliced, sat majestically in the centre. Rupert had finally moved and was beneath the table – waiting, I suspected, for crumbs to fall or any titbits.
We sat down, took a plate and a slice of cake each and began eating. There was a choice of tea or lemonade to drink. Alex was sitting between Gwen and me, and presently she said to him, ‘Have you thought of any questions you’d like to ask me?’
He shifted, slightly uncomfortable, and then looked to me.
‘Do you go for bike rides?’ I asked.
‘I don’t, although I probably should after eating all this cake,’ Gwen laughed. ‘Mark has a bike he uses for school. You probably saw it propped by the shed – he never gets around to putting it away. Gareth has a bike too, don’t you, love?’ She threw him a teasing smile. ‘He bought it a couple of years ago as part of a get-fit campaign, but I’ve told him he needs to ride it to get fit. It won’t happen while the bike is in the shed.’ Everyone laughed, including Gareth.
‘Unfair,’ he said good-humouredly. ‘I used it last Saturday.’
‘Yes, Dad!’ Taylor cried. ‘To fetch a takeaway!’ We all laughed again.
‘Alex was given a bike last Christmas. He likes to ride in the garden or the park sometimes,’ I said.
‘That’s good,’ Gwen said. ‘We have a park just up the road. I can take you.’
‘What about hobbies?’ I now asked, trying to remember all the issues Alex had raised. ‘Do you do things together?’
‘Oh yes, sometimes,’ Gwen said. ‘We may go to the cinema if there’s a film we all want to see, or on a day trip, and we have meals out. But at their age Mark and Taylor often want to do their own thing. Kaylee always comes with us though, and we still go on family holidays together.’
‘Do any of you play a musical instrument?’ I asked. Gwen glanced at me oddly; it was starting to sound like an interview. I met her gaze. ‘Just a few questions that have come up after the last time,’ I said. I think she understood what I meant.
‘I’m afraid we don’t have any musicians in the family,’ Gwen said. ‘Although we like to listen to music – sometimes very loudly,’ she added, glancing at the boys. ‘Kaylee can play the recorder a little, and Taylor is teaching himself the guitar.’
Alex sat upright and looked at Taylor with admiration.
‘Alex would like to learn to play the guitar,’ I said.
‘That’s cool,’ Taylor said. ‘We can form a boyband.’
Which comment, I could see from Alex’s expression, meant everything to him.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The Line Went Dead
The introduction of Alex to his new forever family continued as planned. The following evening I took him to his new home and left him for a short while. Adrian and Paula came with me and were able to meet Kaylee, Mark, Taylor and Rupert for the first time – Mum, why can’t we have a dog? Flopsy was in her hutch and Tom, as usual, was off roaming. When we collected Alex, Gwen and Gareth said he’d done very well and had spent some time with everyone. He and Mark had played on the PlayStation, Taylor had shown him a few chords on the guitar and Kaylee had finally had the chance to read him a story.
‘It was a bit babyish,’ Alex confided in the car as I drove us home. ‘And she wanted me to play with her doll’s house.’ He pulled a face.
‘What did Gwen say?’ I asked. I’d already explained a little about Down’s syndrome to Alex.
‘Gwen said Kaylee often liked to do things that younger children did, and if I didn’t want to play with her I should tell her, and she wouldn’t be offended.’
‘So that was OK then? It was sorted?’ I asked, glancing at him in the rear-view mirror.
He nodded. ‘I didn’t mind her reading me a story, but I didn’t want to play with her dolls.’ I assumed that Gwen and Gareth would know what to say and do if situations like this arose.
When we took Alex on Saturday for his first overnight we were in the house for longer, and Adrian and Paula had the chance to see Alex’s bedroom and play with Flopsy, who was in her run on the lawn. We were also treated to a short musical recital where Taylor helped Alex strum a few chords on the guitar and Kaylee joined in with her recorder. I wouldn’t call it music, but it was entertaining!
‘We know what we’re going to buy Alex for his birthday,’ Gwen said quietly to me, referring to the guitar. Alex’s birthday was in a little over a month.
‘He’s a lucky boy,’ I said. ‘In more ways than one.’
‘We’re the lucky ones,’ she said, ‘being able to have Alex. Our family is complete now.’
When we returned to collect Alex on Sunday afternoon we were invited to stay for a cup of tea and a slice of cake and were there for over an hour again. During this time I was better able to see how Alex was fitting into the family and relating to his siblings, and, just as importantly, how they related to him. As he was the youngest by seven years, they treated him simply as a younger brother. There was no sign of jealousy or sibling rivalry, although I could see that Alex could be spoiled, but then he deserved spoiling after all he’d been through.
Debbie visited Gareth and Gwen twice during the introductory period, once with Shanice. She also telephoned Gwen, Gareth and me regularly for updates. Jill phoned me too. Happy that everything was going well and to plan, we confirmed the arrangements for Alex to move the following Saturday, two and a half weeks after he’d first met his family. The Friday before the move he finally told his teacher and one of his friends that he was going to live with a new family and he’d never have to move again. That Alex was able to say this showed how much he now trusted Gwen and Gareth. It was a testament not only to Alex’s forgiving and generous nature, but the wonderful work Gwen, Gareth and their family had put into rebuilding Alex’s trust. Many children from failed adoptions are not so lucky and bounce around the care system as they struggle with deep feelings of rejection, resentment and anger.
On Friday after school – Alex’s last day with us – we gave him a little moving party; it wouldn’t be goodbye, as we would be keeping in touch. I had asked him if he’d like to invite some of his friends from school, but he hadn’t wanted to. I could understand why – to come to our house for the first time when he was leaving might seem uncomfortable and confusing. Doubtless there would be plenty of opportunities for his friends to go to his permanent home. He was staying at the same school and Gwen was already planning a birthday party for him. I invited my parents and Jill to the tea party. Once Alex had left me, Jill and the fostering agency would no longer be involved, so this was goodbye for her, and it was unlikely that my parents would see him again either. I made Alex’s favourite food, including jelly and ice cream, and after tea we played some games and then presented him with his leaving presents: a skateboard from us (he’d admired Adrian’s), a compendium of board games from my parents and Jill gave him a card signed by all the staff at the agency and a gift voucher.
That night Alex was very excited – overexcited – and couldn’t sleep. I kept going i
nto his room and settling him, and then, overtired, he grew maudlin and started saying things like, ‘What if Gareth and Gwen change their minds and don’t want me?’ Which he hadn’t said since before the start of the introductions.
‘They won’t,’ I said firmly.
‘But how can you be sure?’ he persisted. ‘They might.’
‘I can be sure because of Kaylee, Taylor and Mark. They didn’t change their minds with them and they won’t with you.’ Which seemed to help.
The following morning Alex had recovered and was looking forward to life with his new family. His excitement was contagious, and over breakfast the noise level rose until Toscha shot upstairs and hid under my bed. I had all of Alex’s bags packed and ready in the hall for when Gwen and Gareth arrived at 10.30 a.m. We all helped load the car – even little Paula. Fortunately, they owned a large four-by-four, so all Alex’s belongings fitted in, including his bike. We kept our goodbyes short as was advised and said we’d telephone in two weeks. It was sad standing on the pavement and waving him off, seeing his little face at the car window, but I knew he couldn’t wish for a better family and I was sure he’d be happy there.
Life continued as normal for us, and the following week I looked after a child on respite for ten days. Two weeks after Alex left I telephoned him as arranged and we all spoke to him. He sounded the happiest I’d ever heard him and was excitedly looking forward to his birthday the following week. I’d sent a card with some money, which Gwen had put away. Alex knew that Gwen and Gareth had bought a very special present for him, but he didn’t know what it was. He said that Mark and Taylor had been teasing him about what it could be. But it was all in good fun and he didn’t mind at all – it added to his excitement. When we visited after his birthday he was proudly strumming his new guitar.
Gwen and I said we’d keep in touch, not only so that we could see Alex, but because during the introductions Gwen and I had become friends. However, realistically, with both of us leading busy family lives and me fostering, we wouldn’t be meeting up that often. Adrian, Paula and I visited again a month later, met up with them in the summer holidays and from then on we got together as and when the opportunity arose. I saw Alex flourish and grow in height and confidence. He’d fitted perfectly into the family and was obviously very happy. Gwen said they’d felt as if they’d always had him.