The Call

Wednesday 11th May

Whilst at work I get a text from the sister:

Social services might phone you

Dread fills my body. I already know what this is about. Just a few minutes later I get the call. 

Only this time it's much worse. The social worker tells me the house is so dangerous the children cannot stay there. "Can they stay with you?" She asks me. "What if I say no?" I reply. They will look for a foster placement with no guarantee they can stay together. 

Part of me knows this is unlikely. I've worked in this environment & my friend is a children's service social worker. There's hoops the SW has to jump through in order to remove a child, but I can't bring myself to say No 

The SW arranges to visit my house later in the day & I'm straight on the phone to my partner, G who happens to have the day off. 

Can you move the old mattress from the spare room (put it in the shed not the garden- that will just look tacky!!)

Clean the kitchen-load the dishwasher, wipe the table, sweep the floor

He then tells me he has an appointment in the afternoon & can't do all things I need doing. 

After a mild panic, I manage to leave work a bit earlier to head home & tidy up. In an hour I've cleaned the bathroom, tidied the lounge, cleared the spare room & made the place smell nice to give the impression of domestic goddess & a homely home! 

I obviously gain approval, although was a bit annoyed she didn't check out the bathroom (I'd been on my knees washing the floor!) 

And that evening they turn up at my house & my peaceful life is turned upside down.