Mummy, Please Don't Leave by Casey Watson

Author:Casey Watson [Watson, Casey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2021-02-25T10:01:48+00:00

‘What was all that about?’ I asked her when, Seth having been left – and apparently happy for us to go – we headed back out through the gate into the street again.

‘What?’ she asked.

‘You, love. I do wish you’d taken a little more interest. Are you okay?’ I added, turning to look at her properly. ‘You looked very ill at ease back there. Were you? I know it can be a little intimidating, going into a new school, meeting new people, but –’

She glared at me. ‘Wouldn’t you?’

I was shocked by her vehemence. ‘I don’t get what you mean, love.’

‘Wouldn’t you be embarrassed walking into that place, knowing they all know you’ve just come out of prison? That you’re a complete fuck-up. That you’re not even allowed to look after your own kids and have to trail around behind their foster mother like you’re a child too?’

Caught on the hop, I didn’t know how to answer. Because, of course, she was right. Mrs Sykes almost certainly did know. That particular fact, along with the reason they were living with me currently, would have been front and centre in the school’s discussions with Christine. Would have been the reason, more to the point, that they’d given Seth that much sought-after place.

Her eyes had filled with tears now, as well. So, as she was pushing the pram, I rummaged in my bag for a tissue, though she was already furiously wiping them away with a gloved hand.

I gathered my thoughts. ‘Yes, love, they do know.’ I outlined the reasons why. ‘But you must stop thinking you’re an EFF-up, because you’re not. Not at all. You’ve just been through an extremely hard time. But you’ve come through it. That’s what matters. And you are looking after your own kids. At least you were last time I looked. And sweetheart,’ I added, as she stopped to blow her nose, ‘please don’t for a minute think anyone in that school is judging you, because they’re not. They want the same thing as I do. As we all do. For this all to work out for you. We all –’

‘But they do. Everyone does. I’m not stupid. I know exactly what people think of me.’

Exactly what your horrible parents have drummed into you that they think of you, I thought, but couldn’t quite bring myself to say. At least not yet. These were her mum and dad – the only ones she had. Though, judging from my own impressions of them, perhaps that day would – and should – come, however painful it might be for her. ‘Well, you’re wrong,’ I said instead. ‘And if people do judge you, well, the best defence against that is to simply prove them wrong.’ I started walking again, before we all froze to the spot. ‘Jenna, you can do this. Look at you – you’re young, fit and healthy. If you want to keep your children then you can keep your children. You’ve just got to believe in

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