Casey Watson - Nowhere to Go, Part 2 of 3: The Heartbreaking True Story of a Boy Desperate to be Loved

It was a 15-minute drive from the supermarket to home, but as I ushered Tyler back up the front path I realised that it wasnt only him who was still feeling agitated my own heart was still pumping with adrenalin. No, it hadnt actually flared up into a full-blown physical tussle, thank goodness, but it had been an ugly, disturbing scene and, more than that, a telling one. It had told me a great deal about the state of affairs in Tylers home none of which filled me with much hope.

And it seemed events were moving on apace now, as well. As I put my key in the door I could hear the house phone ringing.

Go on, love, I said to Tyler. Get upstairs and change out of your uniform while I get that. Then come straight back down. You and I need to have a chat, okay?

Tyler, no doubt glad to be off the leash, ran off up the stairs as instructed, while I made a grab for the phone.

It was John Fulshaw. Ah, youre there, he said. I was just about to hang up.

Sorry, I gasped into the receiver, long story. How are you?

I have mixed news to give you, Im afraid, John said, without preamble. The good news is that Will Fisher has agreed to do an extra half day a week with Tyler during the school holidays assuming that suits you, of course take him off on some outings swimming, go-karting; that sort of thing. Thought it might give you a bit of extra breathing space.

That is good news, I said. And for me as well as Tyler. I wasnt Methuselah, but neither was I a spring chicken these days, and what with the holidays approaching, and with trying to support Riley through those intense early months with my gorgeous but demanding grand-daughter, those few hours a week to catch my breath would be welcome indeed. But whats the flip side? Go on. Im braced.

Its not that bad, John reassured me. Just a little unexpected. Ive just taken another call from Will just as I was going to ring you with the first news, funnily enough to say they have Tylers court date, and its rather short notice. Which is no problem for them they already have their case organised, and its obviously a strong one but it doesnt leave a lot of time for you and Mike to put something together you know, as in what we talked about? Just a few illustrative snippets to show how hes doing; how hes remorseful, keen to make amends and so on.

Of course, I said. But exactly how short are we talking about here?

Its next Wednesday. 11.00 a.m., he said. You know where the courts are, dont you?

Jeepers, I thought. That was pretty short notice. Next Wednesday! Thats less than a week away! Yes, I know where the courts are, I added, but, oh dear, I have to tell you that weve had something of an incident this afternoon which I think might just upset the apple-cart a bit.

I explained to John about what had happened following our encounter in the supermarket, and how it had given me more of an idea of what we were up against. And the frustrating thing is that this could happen again, couldnt it? With the family living so close by, we could end up bumping into them all the time.

Which, given what had happened, was now becoming a worry, for obvious reasons. The way Tylers stepmother had been with him spoke volumes. It was the clearest indication yet that she really wanted nothing more to do with him not to mention how she obviously felt about letting him near his little brother, which was the thing that had saddened me most of all.

And made me determined to try and get something more out of him particularly about the night in question so wed at least have a fuller picture of what we were up against, come the hearing. Leave it with me, I told John. Dont worry well get something together. Ill also run through the court procedure with Tyler so that hes prepared for whatll happen. Maybe after whats happened this afternoon hell feel a little more like talking anyway. I really hope so. That poor lad needs to fight his corner.

Er, not literally, Casey, John corrected. Thats how we got to this, remember!

John was right. But Tyler needed someone to fight his corner for him, and, in that respect, I knew I was number one candidate. I also had an hour before Mike was due home so it was time to start tea, and I intended to put it to good use.

Come on, love, I called up the stairs to Tyler, once Id said goodbye to John. I need to talk to you. Dont worry, I added, when he didnt appear, youre not in trouble.

There was still no response, and Id already mounted the first couple of stairs when Tyler appeared at the top of them. It was obvious hed been crying, and trying to wipe away the evidence. My heart went out to him. Im not? he said. You promise Im not?

Absolutely not, I reassured him, as I beckoned him back down. I felt a rush of positivity. This was exactly what Id been waiting for. Not that I wanted him upset and crying, of course, but I did want a way in. A tiny chink in the armour. A little glimpse into the heart of the hurt kid that I knew lay behind the cloak of attitude and anger. I promise, sweetie, I said again as he started to walk slowly down the stairs. No, you shouldnt have lashed out physically but you already know that, dont you? But, apart from that, you have nothing to reproach yourself for. Its not your fault that we bumped into them, is it? And, as far as I can see, its not your fault that you werent allowed to speak to your brother, either.

Which I knew, even as I said it, wasnt perhaps the most appropriate thing for me to be saying to him. My normal world was one in which adults, in the main, knew best, hung together and were of largely similar opinions the world where if a child came home and said that their teacher had told them off, it was natural to assume it must have been for a good reason. And, in truth, I didnt know. Perhaps there was a very good reason why Tyler wasnt allowed to speak to his little brother perhaps he had previous with him, as well. But my instinct screamed otherwise. If there was a good reason for Tyler to be denied contact with his sibling, then I felt 100 per cent sure it would already be in the notes somewhere as extra ammunition, fired by his stepmother, in the cause of taking him to court. But there was nothing. Which spoke volumes to me.