Unsafe by Cathy Glass

Author:Cathy Glass [Glass, Cathy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Published: 2023-06-13T20:45:52+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

The Right Decision?

Paula, bless her, got up when she heard me moving around getting Damian and Nathan ready so I could take Damian to school. Liam, having been up most of the night, was now fast asleep. My morning routine, established when Damian had arrived, was no longer. And with my attention now shared between Nathan and Damian, he messed around in his bedroom instead of getting dressed. I kept going in to chivvy him along as well as seeing to Nathan. Paula was in the bathroom having a shower – earlier than she needed to – so she could help me.

Finally, both boys were dressed and, leaving Liam asleep in his cot with the baby monitor on, I took them downstairs.

Part of our morning routine was that Damian gave Sammy his breakfast while I made ours, but today Nathan wanted to help. Although he didn’t say much, he could make himself understood in other ways. He tried to snatch the scoop of dry cat food away from Damian, who resisted, resulting in the contents flying all over the kitchen. Sammy began eating some of the stray pellets as Damian shouted at Nathan, who then accidently tripped over the cat’s water bowl, adding to the mess.

I spent some time clearing up the floor as Sammy looked on, unimpressed. I then told each boy to fill the scoop once. Cat fed, I told the boys to sit at the table while I made them breakfast.

‘Come on,’ Damian said, taking Nathan’s arm. ‘Better do as she says – she’s in a bad mood.’

‘I’m not in a bad mood, love, I’m just tired,’ I said.

‘Like my mum,’ Damian replied.

As the boys began eating their breakfast – Nathan with my help – Liam woke.

‘I’ll see to him,’ Paula called from upstairs.

‘Thanks, love.’

I heard her go into my room; the crying stopped, and a few moments later Paula appeared with Liam in her arms and joined us at the table.

Both boys stopped eating. ‘Hello, baby brother,’ Damian said. Leaving his chair, he went round and kissed Liam rather forcefully on the forehead, which startled him.

Not wanting to be left out, Nathan got off his chair and, joining Damian, kissed and hugged Liam. There was a lot of love in their family, I thought. Children who are given affection tend to show it to others.

‘Tea or coffee?’ I asked Paula, going into the kitchen.

‘It’d better be coffee today.’ She looked as tired as I felt.

‘Toast?’ I asked her.

‘I’ll get some later.’

I made a coffee for Paula and a bottle for Liam. I returned to the table and fed Liam as Paula helped Nathan with his cereal. He finished before Damian.

‘Mummy?’ he asked me.

‘You’ll see her later, love.’

I now took the opportunity to explain the arrangements to Damian. ‘When I collect you after school I’ll be taking you to see your mother.’

‘At home?’ he asked.

‘No, at the Family Centre.’

He looked puzzled.

‘It’s nice. Lots of children I’ve looked after have seen their family there,’ I reassured him.

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