The Cast-Off Kids

by Trisha Merry

  ‘No, Annie’s the one who uses the computer most, her and the kids, so I leave it all to them. I’d rather be out running, or helping a mate with his building work, or tinkering with my motorbike in the garage.’

  ‘So you haven’t changed! You always were the action man.’

  ‘That’s me!’ He paused and I could hear a voice in the background. ‘I’ve got to go,’ he said. ‘But I’d love to bring the family up to see you. Would that be all right? I’ll phone to arrange it nearer the time.’

  About a month later, Paul called to suggest a date.

  ‘That’ll be perfect,’ I said. ‘We have so much to catch up on. Are you bringing Annalise and the children?’ I had a feeling that he had more than one.

  ‘Yes, a boy and two girls, all teenagers now, so they don’t always want to go places with us; but they’ve heard me talk so much about you that they think of you and Dad as family too, so they all want to come that day. I reckon they’re curious to meet you, to see if you really do have haloes floating above your heads!’

  ‘Are you sure you rang the right number?’ I said, laughing happily. ‘Only fallen angels at this address.’

  The morning they were coming, we were so, so nervous. Neither of us could understand why, because we were really looking forward to seeing them. It was a strange feeling, being happy and apprehensive at the same time.

  My phone pinged, so I picked it up. ‘Paul’s just texted,’ I called to Mike out of the kitchen window as he got some garden chairs out of the shed. ‘They’ve just come off the motorway.’

  ‘Oh good.’ He looked at his watch. ‘They won’t be long now.’

  Only fifteen minutes later, I heard the noise of Paul’s car bumping and crunching up the long drive we shared with the farm.

  ‘They’re here,’ I called out to Mike.

  As I went out to welcome them, Paul came to a halt and the second he’d put the handbrake on he threw open his door, leapt out and ran towards me, then flung his arms around me in a great bear-hug that almost stifled me.

  ‘Hello, Mum!’ He drew back to look at me.

  ‘You haven’t changed at all, have you?’ I laughed. His wife and children, left to their own devices, got out of their car and came over to join us.

  ‘Hello, I’m Annalise,’ said his pretty wife, with a beaming smile. ‘I’m so glad to meet you at last. I’ve heard so much about you.’

  ‘Don’t believe all you hear!’ I said.

  Paul was right. She was a lovely girl, and the children were typical gangly teenagers, determined not to smile . . . but they couldn’t help themselves in the end, as our rescue dogs rushed out to get in on the act.

  We had a brilliant day with them all, reminiscing with Paul and making his wife and children laugh at some of his antics. And as I talked so easily with Annalise, I remembered back to when Paul had just met her and told me then how lovely she was. His judgement was spot on.

  They stayed for hours, but the day seemed to pass in a flash and it was nearly time for them to go.

  ‘I know you lost touch with Daisy a few years back,’ I said to Paul. ‘But have you made any efforts to find her since then?’

  ‘Not really.’ He shrugged his shoulders. ‘I wouldn’t know where to start.’

  ‘I tried once, at the same time as I tried to find you,’ I told him. ‘But no luck. I guess she might have married and changed her name . . .’

  ‘I don’t know,’ said Paul. ‘I’ve not heard from her in years.’ I saw the sadness in his eyes. But outwardly he hid it well. ‘I honestly don’t know what happened, or why she stopped all contact.’

  ‘Please let me know if you do hear from her again one day.’

  ‘Yes, of course I will.’

  Annalise came to join us. ‘I’m sorry to break up the conversation,’ she apologised. ‘But we really do have to go. We have two dogs and a cat at home, waiting to be fed.’ She looked at Paul and he nodded. ‘We’ve had a lovely day. Thank you so much for having us all. It was very kind of you.’

  ‘It’s been great getting to know you and we’ve enjoyed catching up with Paul’s news.’ I smiled.

  ‘Come again soon, Paul,’ added Mike. ‘And we’ll go for that pint.’

  ‘What about the Sunday after next?’ suggested Paul, looking at his wife to make sure. She nodded and turned to me. ‘Can we come again then?’

  ‘Yes, of course. That’ll be lovely.’

  And that’s what they did, every other week for the next two years.

  We’re still waiting and hoping that one day we’ll find Daisy. I’d like to be able to give her some photos and tell her how much I have missed her. I think Paul would love to be back in touch with her too. Then this family will be complete.

  Acknowledgements

  To my family who have followed my journey through this book, thank you for your endless patience and belief. You have travelled with me through laughter, tears, tantrums and giggles, for which I am eternally grateful.

  To Jacquie, thank you for your empathy, humour, patience and friendship. I could not have done this without your belief in me. I have gained not only a new vocation; I have gained a friend for life.

  To Clare Hulton, thank you for helping me achieve my second dream.

  To Simon & Schuster, thank you for allowing me to share my story.

  To all foster carers and adopters, never give up.

  To all children in the care system, follow your dreams.