A Family's Trust by Louise Guy

Author:Louise Guy [Guy, Louise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2024-05-29T00:00:00+00:00

19

Jess was surprised at the onslaught of nervous energy that coursed through her system on Friday morning as she waited for Meg Chandler to arrive. Felicity’s aunt had flown into Melbourne the previous day and had arranged to meet Jess at Safe Houses at ten o’clock. Jess’s nerves were for her fifteen-year-old self. She could only imagine what a difference it would have made to her life if a relative had appeared wanting to foster her at that age. Not only would it have given her the love and stability of a family, but it would also have prevented the nightmare she’d endured.

‘Jess.’ Marlee poked her head into the office. ‘Meg Chandler’s arrived. Would you like me to show her to the boardroom?’

‘Yes, please. I’ll be there in a minute. The plate of pastries in the kitchen is for our meeting. Would you mind bringing them in with any tea or coffee she asks for?’

‘Will do.’

Jess thanked her before pulling out the small mirror she kept in her desk drawer and checking her make-up. She was being ridiculous. This was about Felicity, not her, but she didn’t want to do anything to mess it up. She took a deep breath, stood, picked up Felicity’s file, and made her way down the corridor to the boardroom.

She smiled as she opened the door and saw a dark-haired woman admiring the indigenous artwork on the boardroom wall. ‘One of our foster success stories,’ Jess said. ‘Her paintings are getting well known worldwide.’ Jess held out her hand. ‘I’m Jess Williams. Thank you for coming today.’

Meg shook her hand and smiled. ‘Thank you for tracking me down. I’m still not quite sure how you did that, but it’s certainly had me thinking. What can you tell me about Felicity?’

Jess sat down and indicated for Meg to do the same. She opened the file and took a photo of Felicity from it and passed it across the table.

‘Wow,’ Meg said. ‘She looks like her mother at that age. Gillian had that pouty smile too.’

‘She’s a great kid,’ Jess said. ‘She’s had a hard time since her mother died. Hasn’t quite found her feet with a foster family yet.’

‘That’s possibly a good thing for me.’

Jess nodded. ‘Possibly. Now, let me tell you how it all works.’

For the next twenty minutes, Jess walked Meg through the standard steps for fostering a child in Australia. ‘Ultimately, we’re looking for a good fit for Felicity,’ Jess said, ‘but when it’s a family member, a lot of the usual criteria isn’t relevant. You have that blood connection, which is considered incredibly important.’

‘But I could be a criminal.’

Jess laughed. ‘Yes, which is why we do a lot of checking, regardless of your blood tie.’

Meg nodded. ‘You mentioned in our initial discussion that Felicity inherited Gillian’s estate.’

Jess nodded. ‘That’s correct. The money is kept in trust until she turns eighteen, and then she can access it.’

‘What about her living costs now?’ Meg asked. ‘Can that money be used towards them?’

‘Not usually. Foster

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