A Baby’s Cry by Cathy Glass

Author:Cathy Glass [Glass, Cathy]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Harper Collins, Inc.
Published: 2012-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Staying Safe

August and the long vacation from school flew by, with days out, time at home and in the garden, a weekly visit to the clinic to have Harrison weighed; and then suddenly we were buying Adrian’s and Paula’s new school uniforms, ready for the start of the autumn term. Rihanna kept her promise and we didn’t see her in the street again. I heard nothing further from Cheryl or Jill, who were both away on holiday until the beginning of September, although I knew I could phone Homefinders or the social services and speak to one of their colleagues if I needed help or advice while they were away.

Harrison continued to grow and flourish and was much loved, not only by Adrian, Paula and me but also by my parents, and my brother and his wife, who were trying to start a family. All too soon it was 4 September and the first day of the new school term. That day stands out in my memory for three reasons: it was the first day of the new term and we were struggling to get back into the school routine; Harrison was due to have his first vaccination that afternoon; and when I returned home from taking the children to school Cheryl phoned and asked me if I would meet Harrison’s mother.

It was mid-morning and I was already feeling apprehensive, because I had to take Harrison to be vaccinated. Jill was still on holiday and wasn’t due to return to the office until the following day, so Cheryl phoned me directly instead of discussing the matter with Jill first. Cheryl began by asking how we all were and then said: ‘I’ve just had a request from Rihanna’s solicitor, asking if you would be willing to meet Rihanna before the adoption is finalized. Rihanna feels meeting you in person would help her.’

‘What, just her and me?’ I asked, very surprised.

‘No. Jill and I would be present. It would be here at the council offices.’

‘I see,’ I said slowly, not fully understanding what was being asked of me. ‘She wants to see Harrison?’

‘Oh no,’ Cheryl said, as though I should have realized. ‘Rihanna would find that far too upsetting. She just wants to meet you and hear first hand how Harrison is doing and maybe ask you some questions. She knows that once the adoption goes through there won’t be this opportunity.’

‘I see,’ I said.

‘The meeting would reassure Rihanna,’ Cheryl said. ‘It would be no longer than an hour, and I’m sure Jill will be able to arrange for someone to babysit Harrison.’

‘Yes, I am sure she will,’ I said apprehensively. But that wasn’t the reason I was reluctant. I could already picture how upsetting it would be to sit in a room with Rihanna and tell her about Harrison, both of us aware that very soon he would be with his adoptive parents and someone else’s son forever. But I also knew I couldn’t refuse Rihanna’s request – not professionally or personally.

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