but I can’t do that to Chloe. She has already been passed around the department. Harry was her social worker before me but when she turned sixteen, Chloe had to be moved because Harry only works with kids aged between thirteen and fifteen. She’s only just getting over the trauma of not having Harry, how would it feel to dump her because I’m too involved in my personal problems? I couldn’t live with myself. No, Chloe’s safety is paramount. I have to focus.
I drive to Chloe’s house and take lots of notes, make some suggestions, and put a pathway plan together in my head. But it’s futile, really, because I know there’s something she isn’t telling me, so I can’t get to the bottom of her problem however much I want to help her. She’s recently become surly and uncommunicative, and it hurts my heart and my brain to contemplate what’s going on with this troubled sixteen-year-old, who has struggled through school and will probably continue to find life extremely tough. Along with the frustration and limits of a learning disability, Chloe has an addict for a mother, not to mention her mother’s new boyfriend. In addition, she’s dealing with all the other things a teen has to cope with, from friendship issues, to raging hormones, to boy trouble and there’s the ongoing question of sexual abuse, which I can’t ignore.
As much as I tried to probe, to my frustration Chloe’s mother was present and answered most of my questions on her daughter’s behalf. I asked if Chloe wanted to be seen alone, but she just shrugged, so I couldn’t insist – but back at the office I’ll make an appointment to meet Chloe alone next week.
When I leave the Thomsons’ just over an hour later, I get back in the car and immediately check my phone. Alex has called me seven times, and sent five texts. The first reads: Hey, are you there? Think you called me. You okay? Love you.
There are four more texts of variations on this. I have never ignored his texts, or not returned his calls. But for once I put the phone back in my handbag without responding, start the car, and head back to the office.
As I’m driving, I find myself trying to work out why my boyfriend was having a secret liaison with another woman. Alex adores me, or so he says, but the truth is, it looks like he’s been lying to me – and Jas was right all along.
Chapter Thirteen
‘Are you okay?’ Sameera asks as she wanders over to my desk.
I’m back at the office, throwing myself into work and ignoring Alex’s texts and calls. I daren’t pick up or I’ll lose it. I’ll be upset and angry and I need to concentrate on Chloe.
I nod. ‘Yeah, just busy… I’m having a rubbish day, to be honest.’ I’m tempted to tell her about seeing Alex in Pershore, but then see Jas pop her head up over her screen and decide against it. I won’t be a weeping mess in the middle of the office for Jas to feast her eyes on and say, ‘I told you so.’ Not yet anyway.
‘Did you ever find out who sent those roses?’ Sameera asks, leaning tentatively on my desk.
I stop typing and look up. ‘No – Tom said it wasn’t him.’ I shrug.
‘Well, he would say that wouldn’t he?’
‘Yeah, it’s not something anyone would be proud to claim as their own.’
‘I liked Tom, he was – funny, nothing seemed to rattle him. I can’t imagine him sending a note like that. Could it be someone more random, someone you’ve pissed off and don’t even know you have? Like a client, a parent of a client…’ The note with the flowers had shocked Sameera. It’s obviously been playing on her mind.
‘Yeah could be – they can hold a grudge, but then so does Tom.’ I sigh.
‘Who holds a grudge?’ Harry gets up from his desk and joins us, he’s eating a sandwich and dropping crumbs everywhere. Sameera reprimands him, and he shrugs. ‘You look upset, Hannah.’ He’s looking down at me, concerned, then he’s back to his sandwich.
‘I’m okay, just busy,’ I say. For now, I’ll keep my worries about Alex to myself until I know from him what the truth is. I change the subject. ‘I just had a meeting with Chloe and her mum. I reckon something’s going on,’ I say to Harry as Sameera goes off to make us all some coffee.
‘With