Название: Will You Love Me?: The story of my adopted daughter Lucy: Part 2 of 3
Автор: Cathy Glass
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Биографии и Мемуары
isbn: 9780007533190
isbn:
‘She was on your bed! Fast asleep.’ Paula said, supplying the answer. ‘She’s not really supposed to be on the beds.’
Lucy slowly raised her head and looked at me, her large dark eyes growing rounder with astonishment. Then, very quietly, she said: ‘Was she really on my bed?’
‘She was, love. I must have shut her in when I checked your room first thing this morning.’
The smallest, almost imperceptible smile now crossed Lucy’s face. Then, in the same quiet voice, she said, ‘I think if Toscha was on my bed it means she likes me, don’t you?’
I felt my eyes brim. ‘It does love. It most certainly does. We all like you.’
I hadn’t planned any activities for the weekend. I’d kept it clear so that Lucy would have a chance to settle in and familiarize herself with us, her new home and routine, and hopefully start to relax a little. She came across as a very gentle child who could easily be taken advantage of; someone who needed protecting. I thought again how frightening it must be to come into yet another stranger’s house, where you were expected to fit in. I also felt she was tense, on guard, almost in a permanent state of alert, as if at any moment she was ready to run. I knew from my previous fostering experience and training that this heightened anxiety wasn’t unusual for a child who’d been severely neglected or abused; even a pin dropping can make them jump. I also knew it would take many weeks, if not months, and a lot of work before Lucy felt safe enough with us to lower her guard and completely relax.
Presently Paula tired of stroking Toscha and said to Lucy, ‘Would you like to play a game now?’
Lucy gave a small nod.
‘Or would you like to see your room first and then play a game?’ Paula said.
‘I don’t mind,’ Lucy said quietly, with a little self-conscious smile.
‘It’s your decision,’ I encouraged.
‘Shall we see my room first?’ Lucy asked Paula.
I was in no doubt that, had Paula said no, Lucy would have gone along with whatever Paula wanted to do.
‘Yes. Let’s see your room first,’ Paula said. ‘Then we can play a game.’
Both girls stood and we went out of the living room and upstairs, where I opened the door to Lucy’s bedroom and we all went in.
‘Do you like it?’ Paula asked, crossing to the window. ‘It’s got a nice view.’
I smiled. The view was something I usually pointed out when I showed a new child and their social worker around the house, as the room overlooked the garden.
Lucy gave a small nod, but didn’t go over to look out of the window.
‘Your room will be better once you’ve got all your belongings in it,’ I said. ‘I’ll bring up your bags shortly.’
She gave another small nod and then looked to Paula for direction.
‘I’ll show you the rest of the upstairs,’ I said.
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