Innocent: Part 2 of 3: The True Story of Siblings Struggling to Survive

‘We’re just waiting for the IRO,’ Tess said.

‘And Edith, my supervising social worker,’ I added.

Filip stood. ‘I’ve brought some of Molly’s and Kit’s toys,’ he said. He came round to my side of the table, carrying a large holdall, which he placed by my chair.

‘Thank you. They’ll love playing with those again.’

‘Have you come by car?’ Tamara asked, appreciating that I’d struggle on the bus with the holdall.

‘Yes.’

‘How were the children after contact yesterday?’ Aneta asked.

‘Fine,’ I said, looking at her and Filip. ‘There’s always a period of adjustment straight after contact, but that’s to be expected.’

‘They weren’t ill?’ she asked.

‘No, they haven’t been ill this week at all.’

‘Like I told the doctors, it comes and goes,’ she said.

One of the matters I wanted to raise at the review was the need for further testing so we could try to establish what was causing the children’s sickness. But it wasn’t appropriate to discuss that or any other matter relating to the children until the reviewing officer was present, and the review had officially begun. At ten minutes past two, ten minutes after the review should have begun, the door opened and Edith came in with a woman I took to be the reviewing officer, both looking a little flustered.