The Silent Cry: Part 2 of 3: There is little Kim can do as her mother's mental health spirals out of control

The Silent Cry: Part 2 of 3: There is little Kim can do as her mother's mental health spirals out of control
Cathy Glass

The heartbreaking true story of a young, troubled mother who needed help.The sixteenth fostering memoir by Cathy Glass.It is the first time Laura has been out since the birth of her baby when Cathy sees her in the school playground. A joyful occasion but Cathy has the feeling something is wrong. By the time she discovers what it is, it is too late. This is the true story of Laura whose life touches Cathy’s in a way she could never have foreseen. It is also the true stories of little Darrel, Samson and Hayley who she fosters when their parents need help. Some stories can have a happy ending and others cannot, but as a foster carer Cathy can only do her best.

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Copyright (#ud1acd8a3-e332-5f40-9439-3ff7b8ea4866)

Certain details in this story, including names, places and dates, have been changed to protect the children.

HarperElement

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First published by HarperElement 2016

FIRST EDITION

© Cathy Glass 2016

A catalogue record of this book is

available from the British Library

Cover image © Krasimira Petrova Shishkova/Trevillion Images (posed by model)

Cover layout design © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2016

Cathy Glass asserts the moral right to be

identified as the author of this work

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Source ISBN: 9780008153717

Ebook Edition © February 2016 ISBN: 9780008156589

Version: 2016-01-19

Contents

Cover (#u9b58880a-8f0a-5573-b20c-2ba97b3a04c2)

Title Page (#ulink_f3cdfefe-7c48-5ff9-a3f3-dc2233700ccc)

Copyright (#ulink_4f3b320f-b089-5954-886c-bdb8aee7c672)

Chapter Ten: The Devil’s Child (#ulink_496d16a2-da40-5f5f-943a-70d60b815110)

Chapter Eleven: Trying to Hurt Him (#ulink_118473c3-2979-54fb-9927-d51f7f01f24e)

Chapter Twelve: Very Serious (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen: Worry (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen: Gina (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen: Everley (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen: Home Again (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen: Progress (#litres_trial_promo)

Moving Memoirs eNewsletter (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten

The Devil’s Child (#ud1acd8a3-e332-5f40-9439-3ff7b8ea4866)

School resumed on Monday after the half-term break and the air temperature rose dramatically by ten degrees, as it can do in England, catching everyone unawares and causing the weather reporter to pronounce a heat wave. The sun shone in a cloudless sky and the air was alive with birdsong and the scent of summer flowers. We didn’t need to wear our jackets to walk to school that morning.

Adrian was pleased to see his friends again and they ran around in the playground before school began. Parents chatted to each other, catching up on their news and asking each other if they’d had a nice holiday, and sharing what they’d done. Some families had spent the week at home just relaxing, pleased to be out of the school routine, while others had been more energetic, going out most days, and a couple of lucky families had been abroad for the week. As I talked to my friends I looked around for any sign of Laura, hoping she was now feeling well enough to bring Kim to school, but I couldn’t see her. Then just before the start of school Geraldine walked into the playground, with Kim beside her pushing the pram. Kim was looking around her, proud to be in charge of her baby brother, while Geraldine kept her gaze straight ahead, her face expressionless. I assumed therefore that Laura still didn’t feel up to coming out, or possibly she was just having a lie-in. I’d ask Geraldine how she was if I got the opportunity.

When the Klaxon sounded the children said goodbye to their parents and then lined up ready to go into school. The little groups of parents began dispersing, making their way towards the main gate. I looked over to where Geraldine had been standing. She was now walking briskly towards the exit. She was always one of the first out, slipping out ahead of everyone else, but this time her progress was slowed by the pram. I caught up with her as she waited for her turn to pass through the main gate.

‘Good morning,’ I said. Paula was holding my hand and toddling beside me.

Geraldine threw me her usual tight smile.

‘Baby,’ Paula said, pointing to the pram.

‘Yes. Baby Liam. How is he doing?’ I asked Geraldine. I could just see his little face over the cover, sleeping.

‘He’s well,’ she said.

‘And how’s Laura?’