Girl Alone: Joss came home from school to discover her father’s suicide

by Cathy Glass

  Jill telephoned about twenty minutes later, having been updated about Joss’s disclosure in respect of her stepfather by the team member on duty the night before. She began with a heartfelt sigh. ‘Dear me, it never rains but it pours. Do you believe her?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And Joss said she’d told her mother but wasn’t believed?’ This was significant, as Linda could be accused of covering up the abuse and failing to protect her daughter.

  ‘That’s what Joss said,’ I confirmed.

  ‘You know what her mother will say, don’t you?’ Jill said. ‘That Joss has never liked Eric, resented him for trying to be her father, and has made this up to get rid of him.’

  ‘I know, but I’m sure Joss is telling the truth.’

  ‘And Joss is prepared to make a statement to the police?’ Jill asked. This could be another indicator of the sincerity of a young person; if they were lying, they were likely to back down and withdraw the allegations at the mention of making a statement to the police.

  ‘Yes, she is,’ I said.

  ‘OK. I’ll telephone Amelia when she’s had a chance to speak to the duty social worker. She’ll want to talk to Joss as soon as possible. There will be concerns about her brother too, although Joss is saying she doesn’t think he touched Kevin. Is Joss with you now?’

  ‘She’s upstairs.’

  ‘How is she?’

  ‘Relieved that it’s finally out in the open, I think. She looks less anxious. She did say she should have told me sooner.’

  ‘And the reason she didn’t is because she thought you wouldn’t believe her?’ Jill asked.

  ‘Yes. That’s what she said.’

  ‘I guess it makes sense.’

  I then told Jill about the visit we’d had that morning from the police officers about the burning car.

  ‘I’m glad common sense prevailed,’ Jill said. ‘I’ll let Amelia know when I phone her. And when you have a moment, Cathy, can you write up your notes while it’s still fresh in your mind? Then we’ll have a copy ready on file if it’s needed.’

  ‘I will,’ I said.

  ‘And keep Joss with you today. I can’t imagine she wants to go out, but Amelia will want to talk to her at some point.’

  ‘All right.’

  We said goodbye and I replaced the receiver. Lucy and Paula were up now, and I could hear their voices and Joss’s as the three of them talked on the landing. When Lucy and Paula came down in their dressing gowns a short while later, they both looked very shocked.

  ‘Joss told you?’ I asked.

  ‘Yes. It’s awful. What a pervert Eric is,’ Lucy said.

  ‘He was supposed to be her new dad!’ Paula said, disgusted.

  And for a moment an uncomfortable thought flashed across my mind that Joss might have told them for dramatic effect, which would have given credence to her mother’s assertion that she made things up for attention. But then we all handle trauma in different ways, and sharing it with her peers was probably Joss’s way of coping – now that it was out in the open, she felt comfortable telling others she trusted. Not for the first time, though, I worried about the effect all of this was having on my children. Paula had gone very pale.

  ‘Try not to worry,’ I said to them both. ‘Now Joss has been able to tell us, she’ll receive the help she needs.’

  ‘First her boyfriend and now her stepfather. It’s dreadful,’ Lucy said.

  ‘Yes, it is,’ I agreed.

  I then told them, as I had Adrian, that my day would largely be taken up with Joss, which they understood, and I suggested that they might like to go out after lunch for a while, once they’d got everything ready for school in the morning. They decided to go into town together window shopping. Lucy had a birthday coming up and I asked her to look out for some present ideas.

  They had some cereal and toast and then went upstairs to shower and dress. I sat in the living room and wrote up my log notes. There was a lot to write, and I used Joss’s words as much as possible – a verbatim account – when she’d described the abuse. Although the telephone was silent, I knew there would be a lot going on at the social services, and as I wrote, I was on tenterhooks, half expecting it to ring at any moment. Joss was also waiting for news and she came down a couple of times just to ask if I’d heard anything from her social worker or the police. I reassured her that I’d tell her as soon as I did. It would have helped her if she’d been able to go out with Lucy and Paula and take her mind off it, but that wasn’t an option.

  Although I was expecting the telephone to ring, I was completely unprepared for the next call. I was making lunch for us all before Adrian, Lucy and Paula went out. I answered the phone in the kitchen, expecting to hear Jill, Amelia or even the police, but it was Linda, distraught, angry and in tears.

  ‘How could you?’ she began. ‘I can’t believe what you’ve done. Why did you have to pass on all those lies to the social services? You know what Joss is like!’

  I spoke calmly. ‘Linda, I have to tell the social services what a child says if they make an allegation. I am sure it will be properly investigated.’

  ‘Yes! They are investigating us!’ she cried. ‘They already think we’re guilty. They’re coming here this afternoon, and they want to see Kevin. My little boy. How could you, Cathy? Supposing they take him!’ She broke down, sobbing.

  ‘Linda,’ I said gently, ‘the social services won’t just take Kevin. They can’t remove him without a court order, and they wouldn’t be able to get that unless there was a very good reason.’

  ‘Well, there isn’t!’ she snapped. ‘But how am I going to convince them after all the lies Joss has told? You’ve believed her, and they will too. You should have just ignored her.’

  Which, of course, was what Linda had done.

  ‘I can’t believe you’d do this!’ Linda cried. ‘You’ve ruined my life, the two of you, with these lies. You can tell Joss she’s never to set foot in my house again. I’m finished with her. That’s it.’ And with a sob, she put down the phone.

  I took a deep breath. I could appreciate why Linda was so upset – she’d had a big shock, and now she felt threatened at the possibility that Kevin could be removed. She obviously loved her children, I didn’t doubt that, but she’d failed to protect Joss, and she’d have to convince the social services that Kevin wasn’t in any danger. Contrary to what I’d previously thought might happen, far from having any doubts about Eric, Linda now seemed even more convinced that her daughter was lying. I’m not sure I would have been so certain in her position, but then you never know how you would react in the face of trauma.

  A few minutes later the phone rang again. ‘Cathy, it’s Jill. Are you free to talk?’

  ‘Yes. Linda has just telephoned. She’s very upset and angry and is blaming me.’

  ‘What did she say?’

  I told her.

  ‘I’ll mention it to Amelia when I next speak to her. It’s not appropriate for Linda to be phoning you while she and Eric are being investigated. Although she’s right that the social services have concerns around Kevin. Amelia wants to see Joss first – she’ll phone you later with a time – and then she’ll visit Linda and talk to Kevin.’ Jill paused, and I knew she was choosing her words carefully. ‘Cathy, I know you believe what Joss told you about her stepfather, and the social services are taking it seriously, but can you make sure Joss understands the gravity of her allegations? That Kevin could be taken into care? Don’t frighten her, just make sure she knows the implications.’

  ‘I will,’ I said. ‘Does Amelia have doubts that Joss is telling the truth, then?’

  ‘She raised the question, as I did, of whether it was possible that Joss was doing this to get back at Eric because she resented him. But the department is taking Joss’s allegations seriously and acting on them.’

  ‘I’ll speak to Joss and make sure she understands,’ I confirmed.

  ‘Thank you, Cathy. And if Linda telephones you again, tell her to call Amelia
if she needs to speak to someone.’

  ‘Thanks. I will.’

  I replaced the handset and went upstairs to speak to Joss. I knew I had to be careful how I phrased what I’d been asked to say. It had taken a lot of courage for Joss to speak out and I didn’t want to undermine the trust she’d placed in me and the social-care system by suggesting we didn’t believe her. Her bedroom door was partly open, but nevertheless I knocked as usual. ‘Come in,’ her little voice called from the other side. ‘Be careful where you step. I’m tidying up.’

  I took one step into her room but couldn’t go any further as the floor was covered with the contents of her drawers and wardrobe.

  ‘I thought I’d sort out my stuff while I had the time,’ she said.

  ‘Excellent,’ I said, impressed.

  ‘I heard the phone ring – is there any news?’ she now asked, looking at me anxiously.

  ‘Jill just telephoned,’ I said. ‘Amelia will be coming to see us later. Then she’ll visit your mother and Kevin. Joss, you need to prepare yourself for the fact that if the social services believe Kevin is at risk of being abused, they may take him into foster care.’

  ‘But I told you, that perv didn’t touch him. It was just me,’ she blurted.

  ‘I know. I’ve passed that on, and you can tell Amelia yourself when she visits. But the social services have to be certain Kevin is safe, and while Eric is in the house he could be at risk.’

  ‘But Kev is only a little kid, and he’s a boy,’ Joss said naïvely. ‘Perv wouldn’t be interested in him.’

  Despite all the news stories we see and hear in the media, many people struggle to believe in the existence of paedophile activity. ‘Joss, love,’ I said gently. ‘If Eric is a paedophile, the fact that Kevin is a young boy won’t stop him. I’m afraid paedophiles find young children sexually attractive, boys and girls.’

  ‘That’s horrible,’ Joss said, visibly shaken.

  ‘I know, so you understand why the social services need to make sure Kevin is safe.’

  ‘Yes, but it’s unfair if Kev has to leave home. It’s perv who should have to leave.’

  ‘I know, but that might not happen.’ I didn’t tell Joss that her mother was standing by Eric and her faith in him appeared to be unshakeable.

  ‘If Kev has to go into foster care,’ Joss said thoughtfully, ‘can he come and live here? He could have my bed and I’ll sleep on the floor. I don’t mind.’

  I smiled. ‘Children in care have to have their own bedrooms,’ I said. ‘And anyway, it may not come to that. I just thought you should know in case.’

  ‘I understand,’ Joss said. ‘As long as Kev is safe.’

  So I had the confirmation Jill had requested, that Joss understood the impact her allegations could have on Kevin, and with it the added proof that she was telling the truth, not that I needed it.

  ‘I’ll leave you to your sorting out, then,’ I said. ‘I’ll let you know when I hear more, and lunch won’t be long.’

  ‘Thanks, Cathy,’ she said with a small smile, and returned to her clothes.

  As I returned downstairs I thought again how Joss seemed like a different person now she’d spoken about the abuse she’d suffered at home and her allegations were being acted on. Here she was, in her room contentedly sorting out her clothes, which would have been unheard of a few days ago. I felt my talk with her had gone well and she appreciated that in order to protect Kevin he might have to go into care. I hadn’t told her that her mother had telephoned, because there was nothing positive to say about the call and it would only have upset her.

  I put the finishing touches to lunch and was about to call everyone to eat when the phone rang again. It was Jill, telling me that Amelia was aiming to be with us by three o’clock.

  ‘The poor woman is so busy,’ Jill said. ‘I told her I’d phone you to save her time.’

  ‘Thank you. I’ve spoken to Joss and she understands that Kevin might have to go into care.’

  ‘And she was all right about that?’

  ‘Well, she thought Eric should be the one to leave the house, but she appreciates that might not happen.’

  ‘OK. You can tell Joss that Zach and Carl have been taken in for questioning by the police. Amelia will talk to her about that too when she sees her this afternoon.’

  We said goodbye and I went straight upstairs to Joss’s room. She’d heard the phone and then my footsteps approaching. ‘Come in, Cathy,’ she called before I’d knocked on her door. She looked at me expectantly.

  ‘That was Jill again,’ I said. ‘Amelia will be coming to see us at about three o’clock this afternoon. And Zach and Carl have been taken in for questioning by the police.’

  ‘Really? So soon?’ Joss said, surprised.

  ‘Oh, yes. Serious allegations have to be acted on straight away.’

  ‘I’m glad I told you,’ she said reflectively. ‘I just wish I’d told you sooner about Eric, but I really felt like it was my fault and everyone would blame me.’

  ‘Joss,’ I said firmly, ‘abuse is never the fault of the victim. Never, ever. Although the abuser might try to make them feel it is. Hear me and believe me, please.’

  ‘I’ll try,’ she said quietly.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Waiting for News

  At three o’clock I was sitting with Joss in the living room, waiting for Amelia to arrive. We were the only ones in the house apart from Toscha, who’d just strolled into the room and was taking up residence on Joss’s lap, circling to find herself the most comfortable position. Outside the day was overcast but not cold or wet; indeed, the air was quite humid for early September, and I’d left the patio door slightly open. Joss and I were making small talk, mainly about pets, as a distraction from the anxiety we were both feeling. Joss said she and Kevin had always wanted a cat or a dog, but Kevin was slightly asthmatic and had an allergy to animal fur, so they’d had to settle for a goldfish instead. Joss mused that when she was older and had a job and flat of her own, she was going to buy two dogs so they would be company for each other while she went out to work. I smiled and said that was nice, although dogs needed regular exercise, unlike cats, who could take themselves for a walk.

  Amelia didn’t arrive until 3.30 p.m. She came in flustered and apologized for being late. ‘Don’t worry,’ I said. ‘Would you like a drink?’

  ‘Oh, yes. Coffee, please,’ she said gratefully. ‘Milk, but no sugar. Thank you.’

  I showed her into the living room and left her talking to Joss while I made coffee. Little wonder she was stressed, I thought. She’d arrived at her desk on Monday morning to face a caseload that included two new serious allegations of abuse, in addition to her usual work. As with most local authorities, the funding wasn’t available for more much-needed social workers. I returned to the living room with her cup of coffee and set it on the table within her reach. ‘Thank you so much,’ she said.

  I sat on the sofa beside Joss as Amelia drank half of her coffee straight down and then set the cup in the saucer before looking up and addressing us.

  ‘I’ll talk to you both first, to update you,’ Amelia said. ‘Then I would like to talk to Joss alone.’ I nodded. ‘Joss tells me she’s feeling a bit happier in herself now she’s been able to tell us what has been going on at home.’

  ‘Yes, she certainly seems more at ease,’ I said.

  ‘Good.’ Then, looking at Joss, Amelia said, ‘I’ll be able to arrange some counselling for you, but not until after any court cases. If you begin therapy now it could weaken your evidence.’ This was normal practice and it made some sense, as counselling helped a person overcome abuse so that harmful memories faded. ‘But you know you can talk to me or Cathy at any time,’ Amelia added.

  ‘Yes,’ Joss said, keeping her gaze down and stroking Toscha.

  ‘I want to talk about what happened with Zach first,’ Amelia said, glancing at the papers she held. ‘Joss, you did very well going to the police station on Saturday straight after the
attack. You were able to give a statement to the police, and you were examined by a doctor. I can appreciate what an ordeal that must have been and you did very well.’ Joss nodded but didn’t look up. ‘When the results of the tests are known,’ Amelia continued, ‘the doctor will write her report. That will form part of the evidence, together with the statement you made and any other evidence the police gather. They will then make a decision on whether to prosecute, and we will be told.’

  ‘Is there a chance the police might not prosecute?’ I asked, feeling this was something Joss would want to know.

  ‘It will depend on the strength of the evidence against them,’ Amelia said. I glanced at Joss, but she didn’t look up. I sincerely hoped there was enough evidence to prosecute Zach. Joss had been through so much, and for it not to go to court would be a big blow to her.

  ‘Zach and Carl are being interviewed at the police station,’ Amelia continued. ‘When they’ve finished they will be released. Joss, it’s important you don’t have any contact with either of them. That means not going to Chelsea’s flat or places where Zach and Carl hang out. If they approach you in the street, ignore them and tell me, Cathy or the police. Do you understand?’

  ‘Yes,’ Joss said, still not looking up.

  ‘Good. I’ll tell you as soon as I have any news, but don’t expect to hear anything for some time. It takes many months for the police to fully investigate, so we have to be patient.’

  ‘Will they talk to Chelsea?’ Joss asked, finally glancing at Amelia.

  ‘Possibly. I don’t know. Why? Are you worried about something?’

  ‘No, I just wondered.’

  ‘OK. Do you have any other questions?’

  ‘Will I have to go to the police station again?’ Joss asked.

  ‘Yes, very likely, to make a statement about your stepfather, but it may not be for a while, and it will be different to Saturday. You may be interviewed by Ann again, but you won’t need another physical examination, and it will probably be a taped interview. I’ll know more when I’ve spoken to the police.’