Casey Watson - Nowhere to Go, Part 3 of 3: The Heartbreaking True Story of a Boy Desperate to be Loved

My mum and dad didnt want to make a big fuss about everything, but it was important Tyler face them, so I wheeled him round there that weekend and had him say sorry to them both personally, as well as reassure them hed be paying them back just as soon as hed earned sufficient pocket money.

I knew my mum would have told him not to worry, so Id primed her first and they both managed to look sufficiently stern as he mumbled his apologies.

And that was where I thought wed leave things. But it seemed I was wrong.

Here, Casey, Tyler said to me the following Saturday morning, shoving a folded-over piece of paper into my hand. It was torn from an exercise book.

Whats this? I asked him.

Its for Grandad, he said. And Nan as well, he added, blushing furiously.

I was confused for half a second, wondering what he was talking about, as thered never been mention of any grandparents being in the picture before.

Grandad? I asked.

Your dad, he corrected. Then adding Thats what he told me to call him somewhat defensively. He did, honest. He said it sounded silly to call him Mr Watson and that he liked Grandad better. Which made me feel terrible. It would have been just like my dad to do that as far as he was concerned, why not? And now Tyler felt he had to justify being granted permission to use a term up to now hed not had the privilege of using for anyone. I could have kicked myself.

Of course, I said, nodding. I know that, love. I was just wondering what about him. You want me to give this to him then, do you?

He nodded. Its just a letter to say a proper sorry. You know, about that tenner. I feel bad that he thinks Im a robber now. I mean I know he wont want me doing his roses or anything no more, or anyway, an its not asking him to or anything. I just wanted to, like, tell him Im sorry You can read it if you like.

Now Id gone from wanting to kick myself to needing to dislodge the lump forming in my throat. What a learning curve this whole business was turning out to be.

I smiled at him. No, no, its not for me, is it? So I wont read it. But Im popping round later, while youre out with your friends, so Ill give it to him then. And, Tyler, I added, dropping slightly to be at his level, thanks so much for this, love. Dadll really appreciate it. Its a very grown-up thing to do and, even better, no one even asked you to do it, so its extra special, and dont you worry Im sure Dadll still want your help. He says youre an excellent little gardener.

All of which was true. Though hed recovered well since his op, hed still lost a bit of his get up and go, and Tyler had proved to be an unexpected tonic for him. Mum had confided that, more than that, even, hed really enjoyed having him around because he could have a joke with him and pass on all the many words of manly wisdom that Kieron was too busy and grown-up to listen to often these days and that Levi and Jackson were still a bit small for.

Hes been a blessing, my mum had said. Really helped get your dad back on track. And, fingers firmly crossed, that meant two of them.

Tylers cinema trip had been hard won, and that was as it should have been. He couldnt have worked harder to earn enough points to make it happen, and as it was with a couple of mates from school mates who were his own age I was particularly keen to see it happen. Though wed yet to fix up a visit from Bob to chat to him about drugs, wed been laying the groundwork, gently trying to impress upon Tyler that Cameron and his other older friends werent necessarily doing stuff that he wanted to be getting into though still trying to be very softly-softly about it. These were his mates and he obviously felt very loyal.

Now dont you be getting into any trouble, I warned as I pulled up outside the cinema complex a couple of hours later to drop him off. He promised he wouldnt. And call me as soon as you come out, I added, and either Mike or I will come and fetch you, okay?

He chewed his lip for a second or two, making no move to get out of the car.

Okay? I said again.

Yeah, yeah, he said, only, Casey, its just that theyre going for a pizza straight after only next door. Right there. He pointed. And I know I dont have enough points and that, but could I sort of

I cut him off, having decided. Yes, okay, you can. Just an extra hour, okay? And you make sure you ring us in good time so we can be here before your mates leave. I dont want you hanging about in the dark.

Yay! he said, doing a little fist pump before leaning across to kiss my cheek. Thats epic!

Yes, well, dont forget Ill be leaving you some spring cleaning chores to do tomorrow, will you?

Casey, he said, giggling, you cant spring clean. Its October!

Off with you, I said, shooing him out of the car. When it comes to cleaning, I can do anything I flipping like!

Dad, as Id expected, was thrilled to get Tylers note. He read it straight away, his eyes glistening, I noticed, as he took off his reading glasses. Hes not a bad lad, he said. Given everything, he could be a lot, lot worse, couldnt he? And he should know, I thought, with us having exposed him to so many damaged foster kids now. And theres the proof, right there, he said, waggling the piece of paper, that hes got it in him to know when hes done wrong.

Well, once hed been found out, anyway, I thought, but didnt say. And, actually, Dad made a good point. Hed obviously been dying to confess, hence those tears before Id even asked him, and, more to the point, he had already apologised and been told that was the end of the matter. Yet it had obviously still been eating at him, and that was an encouraging sign of empathy. So, after two cups of coffee and a slice of my mums lemon drizzle cake, I felt a real spring in my step as I headed home to my spring cleaning. Even if it was October.

I got stuck straight in, too, as was always my way. I didnt know what it was about cleaning the house that I loved so much, but I had an inkling that over the years it had probably saved me a fortune in headache pills and therapy. Particularly when I got really into it, pulling out appliances, washing down walls and skirtings, and generally ousting every scrap of grime.