'Hello Turner Residence, Mrs Turner speaking.'

'Mrs Turner? Hello it's Miss Ellaby from the Church of England Children's society.'

'Miss Ellaby?!' Shelagh gaped. Why on earth would the woman be phoning her? Was it about Angela? Had her birth mother changed her mind? Did she want Angela back? If she had then tough! Angela was HER daughter. Her darling. Frowning she cuddled the 4 month old closer to her bosom. She sent a quick prayer heavenwards as she dropped a kiss in her fair hair that already appeared to turning to the same shade as her own somewhat fortuitously. They had not yet discussed when or if they would tell Angela she was adopted so any resemblance between parent and child was welcomed.

'Please do not worry-I'm not phoning to take your daughter away from you. Far from it. Quite the opposite in fact.'

'I'm sorry? I'm not following you Miss Ellaby.'

'Do you remember the baby you fostered for a night last March? One Carole Ashton?'

'Of course I do. Is she alright? What's happened?' The blood ran from her face. Though the Turners had only sheltered the girl for one night Shelagh had formed quite an attachment to the girl who was prevalent in so many of her prayers.

'She is fine but her adoptive parents have decided to return her to us. It would seem that child rearing was not what they expected. Mrs Turner I'm going to be to the point here. I remember how well the three of you had bonded with young Carole and we are all very impressed here at The Children's Society by how Angela has settled with you and by what wonderful parents you are reported to be to her and Timothy . I am phoning to ask whether you would consider adopting Carole too?'

'...' Shelagh felt the breath leave her lungs at eh question. Whatever she had been expecting it had not been that.

'Apologies Mrs Turner, this must come as quite a shock to you.'

'Quite.' She said weakly

'I would understand if you decided against it. With a 4 month old in the house you may not wish for an almost 1yr old as well. Particularly as Carole appears to have, understandably, bonded with her adoptive parents. I'm giving you first refusal as it were. In 3 days she will be returned to the main system and it will be out of my hands. I ask only that you think about it.'

'I will. I'll have to talk to Dr Turner and our son about this first but I don't see it being an implausible scenario. It's certainly a possibility.'

'I am very glad to hear it.'

'Thank you Miss Ellaby. Is there anything else I need to know about this situation before I speak to my husband? Ow!' She asked as Angela grabbed a handful of her hair. 'Darling Mummy needs her hair attached to her head. There we go…look it's your favourite teddy. Look its White Ted. There you are sweetie. Sorry about that Miss Ellaby.'

'Not at all. You sound as the reports claim-an excellent mother.' Miss Ellaby praised her, unable to stop a smile from spreading across her face as she sat behind her desk. She had seen so many children in distress that it warmed her heart to know that there were some genuinely good people, genuinely good parents who a child would be blessed to be placed with. It was clear that The Turners, especially Mrs Turner, were a fine example of such people. She had been outraged when her colleague had informed her that The Turners were considered to be turned down. Once the situation had been explained to her she had put her foot down. Either Patrick d Shelagh Turner were accepted as the incredible potential parents they were aside from the brief glitch or that would be the last the Children's Society would see of Annie Ellaby. She was relieved to hear when the post adoption check-in reports had been so glowing. She was not an impulsive person usually so she was glad not to have risked her career for nothing.

'Thank you.' Shelagh beamed.

'But no. There is no more important information regarding the situation. Again you only have a few days if you wish to be the sole people to try and adopt her. She's really quite a beautiful child you know.'

'As I thought she would be.'

'Goodbye Mrs Turner.'

'Goodbye Miss Ellaby. And thank you.' She put down the phone. She stood there in shock for a moment as the reality of the opportunity she had been given washed over her. With the loud squawk of a bird outside she shook herself out of her stupor. Turning her attention back to her daughter who was currently gumming her bear Shelagh grinned.

'Well now Angel girl-I guess I'd better go speak to Daddy hadn't I?'