Cathy Glass - Daddy’s Little Princess and Will You Love Me 2-in-1 Collection

Beth looked back, lost and afraid.

I went with Jessie down the hall and it was only as she began putting on her coat that I realized I didn’t know which school Beth went to.

‘Beth’s school?’ I asked. ‘I assume she’s still going to school while her father is in hospital?’

‘Yes, sorry, I should have said. It’s Orchard Primary School, about a five-minute drive away.’

‘Oh,’ I said, surprised. ‘That’s the same school Adrian goes to. I thought Beth looked slightly familiar. I’ve probably seen her going in or coming out of school. She’ll be in the year above Adrian.’

‘Well, that’ll make life easier for you,’ Jessie said. ‘One school run to do.’

‘Yes, indeed.’

‘When I collected Beth from school today I informed the school secretary that she’ll be staying with you for a little while.’

‘Thank you,’ I said. ‘So Beth and Derek live quite close?’

‘About three-quarters of a mile away,’ Jessie confirmed. ‘Well, goodnight. I’ll be in touch, and thank you.’

‘You’re welcome.’

I saw Jessie out and closed the front door. Returning to the sitting room, I found Adrian and Paula now sitting either side of Beth. Adrian was still turning the pages of his book but was also giving a little commentary on the pictures, while Paula, having felt brave enough to leave her brother’s side, was snuggled close to Beth and holding her hand. I was pleased my children were making Beth welcome.

‘Jessie has just told me that you go to Orchard School,’ I said, smiling at Beth. ‘That’s Adrian’s school too.’

Beth gave a small nod, while Adrian turned to her and said: ‘I recognized you when you first came in.’ Then, looking at me, he said: ‘We don’t really know each other. Beth’s in another class.’

‘Still, it’s nice you are both in the same school,’ I said.

‘My teacher is Miss Willow,’ Beth said quietly to Adrian.

‘And mine is Mr Andrews,’ Adrian said. ‘He’s OK, but he shouts sometimes.’

As Adrian and Beth began talking about school, I thought it was a piece of good fortune that Beth lived locally, as one school run would certainly make my life easier. A more experienced foster carer would have realized that having a child’s family live so close, far from being a bonus, could actually cause problems.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.