'ALICIA' ARRIVES. PART THREE

"ALICIA'S ARRIVAL" PART THREE

Alicia drank coke and ate a biscuit. 

The kid seemed a quandary; gentle, soft and vulnerable on the one hand, yet hard as nails, bright as a button, and ready for the argument if one happened.

Alicia seemed to use what seemed to me to be a deliberatly flighty voice (which might have been entirely authentic, I'll  learn) and a light attitude to circumstances (being taken into care is a massive event in a child's life, yet I often find they prefer to treat it outwardly as another day at the office).

The conversation worked its way through Alicia's status while in care, plus Alicia's personal needs and preferences.

The rest of my family arrived home in dribs and drabs and steered clear of the meeting. I explained to Alicia a bit about who each one was and said I'd introduce them properly at teatime.

Alicia began to grow more and more animated as the meeting went on.

Nearly time for the social workers to go.

I joked that I could do spaghetti bollognese for everyone if they wanted to stay, but my Blue Sky social worker was first on her feet, saying to Alicia;

"Lovely to meet you, I'm looking forward to getting to know you better."

Alicia's social worker took the cue, and I saw them out.

The moment when you're on your own had arrived.

Time to give Alicia the tour of the house and allow time before tea to unpack in the allocated bedroom.

I usually have the radio on when I'm cooking, but that afternoon I wanted to hear anything I might need to hear.

I did.

First up Alicia talking in the bedroom quite loudly into the mobile phone that had come in under agreement.

Then silence.

I went upstairs ostensibly to ask if Alicia wanted spag boll with mince, or the vegetarian (spag+Dolmio).

I tapped gently on the bedroom door and there sat Alicia on the edge of the bed.

Crying softly.

Poor, poor kid.

I thought to myself. "Here we go…" Then I thought; "Come on girl, this is why you foster."

I said softly;

"Want to talk? Tea can wait."

Alicia took a big breathe and whispered "I don't know. But thank you anyway."

I said; "Okay, tea's ready in about ten minutes. Have a think about whether you want ice cream or fruit salad for afters."

I saw Alicia register the request. So, to drive it home I added;

"Or, as it's a special day, you could have both…"

Truth be told I needed to crack on. Tea was going to be one revelation after another, but I had 100% confidence that my other two foster children wouldn't remotely let the side down.

There's a cameraderie among children who are in care that's often deeply touching.

The job has begun.

Best job out there...