Cathy Glass - A Family Torn Apart: Three sisters and a dark secret that threatens to separate them for ever

Certain details in this story, including names, places and dates,

have been changed to protect the familys privacy.

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First published by HarperElement 2022

FIRST EDITION

Cathy Glass 2022

Cover design HarperCollinsPublishers 2022

Cover photographs: Sveta Butko/Trevillion Images (main image) and Ute Klaphake/Trevillion Images (background figure); both images posed by models

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Cathy Glass asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

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Source ISBN: 9780008540845

Ebook Edition September 2022 ISBN: 9780008540852

Version: 2022-08-11

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A big thank you to my family; my editors, Ajda and Holly; my literary agent, Andrew; my UK publisher HarperCollins, and my overseas publishers, who are now too numerous to list by name. Last, but definitely not least, a big thank you to my readers for your unfailing support and kind words. They are much appreciated.

Chapter One

The pandemic changed our lives. Although lockdown had been lifted, restrictions still applied so there were no large indoor gatherings; we had to wear face masks in public places, socially distance in queues and use antibacterial soap and hand gel at every opportunity. I wasnt the only one experiencing dry, chapped hands from all the hand washing!

Fostering practices had also changed with the pandemic, so most meetings, home visits and contact were now taking place online. Foster carers, like many parents, had become adept at keeping children amused and home educating those of school age. Some motivational speakers and life coaches were suggesting families could use the additional time to reunite and strengthen their bonds. In reality, the opposite was true, and many families isolated in their homes faced unprecedented challenges as jobs were lost, earnings fell and tempers became frayed. Some families who were already struggling fell into the abyss and referrals to the social services rocketed.

At the start of August I had just said goodbye to Jamey, whom Id fostered since before Christmas. I knew it wouldnt be long before I was asked to take another child or children and I steeled myself, wondering what their sorrowful story would be. In over 25 years of fostering, Id looked after many children who had suffered abuse and neglect, but no two childrens stories are ever the same, and that was certainly true of the girls who arrived next.

In hindsight I wonder if the truth would ever have come out if Angie and Polly hadnt lived with me. Im not saying Im a better foster carer than others, but splitting up the girls from their older sister allowed them to disclose what was really going on. However, Im jumping ahead of myself. It was Tuesday afternoon when Joy Philips, my supervising social worker (SSW), telephoned and their story began.

All foster carers in the UK have an SSW whose role it is to support and monitor the foster carer and their family in all aspects of fostering. Most referrals for children who come into care come to the foster carer through the SSW. Joy was in her early fifties, of average height and build, and had a wealth of experience. I found her caring, efficient and level-headed, although like everyone in childrens services at present she was working flat out and was slightly stressed as a result of the pandemic.

Did Emma have a nice birthday? she began by asking.

Yes, thank you. Very nice. Emma was my granddaughter (Lucy and Darrens child) who had just had her second birthday. In line with current restrictions, wed held her party outside in my garden, with only immediate family present.

Excellent. And you are all well? Joy asked. It wasnt simply a polite question but had gained real significance since the start of the pandemic.

Yes, we are, I confirmed.

No one in your household is having to self-isolate or awaiting a Covid test result?

No, I confirmed. Paula and I are fine. There was just my daughter Paula still living at home with me. I had divorced many years ago and my son, Adrian, lived with his wife, Kirsty, and my other daughter Lucy lived with her partner, Darren. We saw them as much as we were allowed, in line with the present restrictions.

Good. Ive had a referral for a sibling group of three girls, Joy continued, getting to the real reason for her call. Wed obviously like to keep them together if possible, and its preferable if they are placed in an all-female household.

Why?

The eldest, whos fourteen and has a different father to the other two girls, has made allegations of sexual abuse against her stepfather and would feel more comfortable in an all-female environment.

It wasnt unusual to try to place victims of sexual abuse in female households where possible.

I see. Im sorry, Joy, but I cant take all three of them, I said, with a stab of guilt.

The younger two are used to sharing a bedroom.

Its not that, its the work involved. Id be spread too thinly and couldnt meet their needs. Id said this in the past to Joy, but I understood why she was asking. With so many children coming into care, and with some foster carers having to shield because of health concerns, and childrens homes full or in quarantine, those carers that were able to take extra children were being asked to.

Even with Paula there to help you? Joy asked.

Yes. Shes furloughed for now, but she could go back to work soon, I pointed out. Then there would just be me. Sorry, Joy. I know my limitations. I cant take all three. The government had introduced a scheme so that businesses could furlough their workers rather than make them redundant. It meant that employees had a job to return to once the work picked up again.

I thought you might say that, Joy admitted. But I wanted to ask. So can you take the younger two? Angie and Polly are six and four years old.

Yes, but what about the older girl?

There is someone who can take Ashleigh if we cant keep them together. Shes a single carer who has just returned to fostering after a long break so doesnt feel up to taking all three girls as her first placement.

OK, fine. I can take Angie and Polly, I said. When are they coming?

Soon. This afternoon. Their father is still with the police but he will be bailed later and is returning to the family home to live. The children need to move before then. The girls mother is standing by him.