Nobody’s Son: All Alex ever wanted was a family of his own

‘That’s only to be expected,’ Jill said. ‘This is life-changing, so imagine what little Alex must be feeling.’

I saw Edward glance at his watch again.

‘Lin and I will be in regular contact with you all,’ Debbie said. ‘Phone if you need to.’

‘Thank you,’ Edward said, pushing back his chair. ‘You won’t mind if my wife and I dash. I’m due in another meeting in an hour.’

‘No, you go. We’ve finished here,’ Debbie said.

Rosemary and Edward stood.

‘See you Saturday then,’ I said.

‘Yes.’ They smiled, and left the room.

Jill and I put away our diaries. ‘If there’s nothing else, I’ll be off too,’ Jill said to Debbie and Lin.

‘No, that’s it. You go,’ Debbie said.

Jill and I stood, said goodbye and left the room together.

Outside, Jill said, ‘Well, what do you think?’

‘They’re a very sophisticated couple,’ I said, meeting her gaze with a smile.

‘Yes, but will they make good parents for Alex and be able to meet his needs? Obviously the adoption team think so.’

‘Yes. I don’t see why not. They appear highly committed to doing all they can. They seem to be bringing up James very well. Alex is going to be given fantastic opportunities, more than many of the children we see.’

‘He is indeed,’ Jill said.

‘What does Edward do for a living?’ I asked out of interest as we continued down the stairs.

‘He and Rosemary are in banking, but Rosemary has taken adoption leave. She left last Friday and will be off work for six months.’ Adoption leave is common practice now, although much of the six months would be unpaid.

‘So you know what you are doing this evening to start the introductions?’ Jill now asked as we crossed reception.

‘Yes. Talking Alex through the photograph album and answering any questions he might have. He can keep the album?’

‘Yes. It’s his.’

Outside the building, Jill said, ‘Phone me if you need any help or advice, but I’m sure you’ll be fine. And enjoy. It doesn’t get much better than this – moving a child to their forever home.’

‘No, indeed,’ I said. ‘I will.’

Chapter Five

A Positive Start (#ulink_4654491c-6865-5701-a328-5fa933919f85)

‘Did you see them?’ Alex asked, arriving breathless at my side. As soon as his class had come out he’d dashed across the school playground to me.

‘Yes, I spent two hours with your mummy and daddy,’ I said with a big smile. ‘They’re lovely people and are so looking forward to meeting you. They’ve made a special photograph album just for you so you know what they look like.’

‘Can I have it now?’ he asked excitedly.

‘It’s safely at home. I’ll show you and tell you all about it as soon as we get in.’

‘Oh. That’s a long time,’ he moaned.

‘Alex, it’s about forty minutes, less than an hour.’ We left the playground and walked towards the car.

Paula was watching Alex, somewhat bemused. He’d really gained confidence in the last few days and was coming out of his shell.

‘When will I meet them?’ he now asked.

‘Saturday. They’re coming to our house on Saturday and then we go to visit your new home on Sunday. But I’ll explain all about it once we’re home.’ This was all too important to rush through on the school run. I wanted to take time, to sit down with Alex and be able to give him my full attention as I talked him through the photographs and explained the timetable of the introductions and move.

‘I went to my friend’s house today,’ Paula told Alex as we got into the car.

‘That’s nice,’ he said.

‘I went because Mummy had to go to the meeting,’ she said cutely.

‘Did you have a nice time?’ he asked her. How kind of him, I thought. He was bothering to make conversation with her when his mind must have been far away and on all that was happening to him.

‘Yes, I did, thank you,’ she said.

‘Did you meet my brother too?’ Alex now asked me as I started the engine.

‘No. He was at school. We will both meet him on Sunday at your new home.’

‘Why not Saturday?’ Alex asked impatiently.

‘Because that first meeting between you and your mummy and daddy is a special time, just for the three of you. Then on Sunday you’ll meet James and you’ll be able to spend time with him and your mummy and daddy.’ From now on I would always be referring to Rosemary and Edward as Mummy and Daddy to Alex, as it would help cement their role and reinforce the new family unit.

We collected Adrian from school, and once home I made the children a drink and a snack, and then settled Adrian and Paula with some activities at the table, explaining that I had to talk to Alex about something important.

‘It’s about his special photograph albanny,’ Paula said, mispronouncing album.

‘Yes, album,’ I corrected. ‘I’m sure he’ll show you both later.’ The photographs of Alex’s new family were very personal to him, so it was important he saw them first and then he could share them later if he wished.

I took Alex into the living room with the photograph album and we sat together on the sofa. I placed the album on his lap. ‘Alex,’ he read his name from the large, brightly coloured lettering on the front.

‘Yes, it’s yours to keep,’ I said.

He carefully opened the first page and looked at the photograph of the front of their house.

‘Wow. Is that my new home?’ he asked.