Christmas at the Ragdoll Orphanage by Suzanne Lambert

Author:Suzanne Lambert [Lambert, Suzanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781405913867
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2013-11-07T00:00:00+00:00

There was to be a case conference the next day, and Nancy was ready for them. One of the social workers was newly qualified and ready to make her mark on the world.

Full of herself, thought Nancy, on meeting her for the first time.

The social worker was rustling importantly through her papers, then she looked at Nancy with a haughty expression on her face.

‘And your qualifications are –?’

Nancy looked up and raised her eyebrows, but she didn’t speak. Oops, thought Michael, one of the social workers who worked with the people housed in family group homes, she really shouldn’t have done that. This was going to be an interesting meeting. He had the greatest respect for Nancy and even as head of department he would never have spoken to her that way. He smiled to himself. ‘I don’t think I would have dared,’ he said to one of the nuns later. ‘She had the most incredible way of putting you in your place without even speaking.’

Nancy still didn’t speak and the social worker was beginning to look a little uneasy. Nancy looked over at Michael, who smiled at her, still amused as to what she would do.

Nancy placed her hands on her hips, chin in the air and looked the social worker straight in the eye. ‘My qualifications, young lady?

‘Fifty years of loving, giving, teaching and caring for children of every age and race, whatever the circumstances. A knowledge that can only be gained from experience, not learned. The capacity to understand the situation from every single angle, not only the one that we think we can see. I have looked into the eyes of hundreds of parents and children and I know the truth when I see it and, young lady, no qualification in any college in any country will teach you that one. I value justice being done, and today Sally needs to be returned to her mother. What Laura needs is constructive help and, in my world, any parent who fights to keep her child out of love and works every hour God sends to ensure they stay together is to be congratulated, not condemned.’

Nancy stood up then and looked at Michael. ‘You gave me this job because of my experience, not because of any qualifications on paper. You believed in me, so trust me. I know what I am doing and I suggest you finish this meeting soon so we can all get on. I know I am extremely busy today.’ And with that, No-nonsense Nancy stood up, nodded and left the room and the meeting.

Laura got her child back and, ten years later, a wedding invitation was posted to ‘Aunty Nancy’ from Sally, hoping she would attend as a guest of honour in thanks for not only her kindness to Sally in the short time she had been in her care but also for her belief in her mother, who had been her rock and was very proud to be the person walking her daughter down the aisle.

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