A/N: Hi! This is my first Tracy Beaker trilogy story. It's about the kids when they arrived and left The Dumojng Ground. I may possibly include stories on the staff.
November 1993
7-year-old Adele sat on the window seat in her purple themed bedroom and stared longingly out if the window as the rain pelted against the window. Questions ran through her mind-when am I going to see mummy and daddy again? Where are my parents? When will I leave auntie Joyce and uncle Doug? Joyce and Doug Reynolds weren't her real aunt and uncle, but they were her foster parents, a kind hearted couple in their late 50's, who both work as school teachers at the local high school. Adele had 2 foster sisters and a foster brother, who were 22-year-old Robert "Rob", 16-year-old Melissa "Mel" and 10-year-old Zoe. Rob was at University, so Adele hardly saw him, but she looked up to him as a big brother whilst Melissa was in Year 11 at school. Mel was naturally pretty, popular and very intelligent and she hopes to go to University. Zoe was 2 school years above Adele, but they were best friends and did everything together. Adele wasn't at school though at the moment as her school was in another borough and Joyce and Doug weren't sure what would be decided about Adele. Instead of enrolling Adele at Oakley Woods Girl's School, a private school where Mel and Zoe went, she was being homeschooled.
"Adele?" Joyce popped her head around the door "Catherine is here."
Adele climbed down from the window seat and followed Joyce down to the kitchen, where Catherine, her social worker sat, with a thin yellow file (Adele had only been in care for a couple of weeks, so there wasn't much to put) and her pen poised. Catherine was new to social work and was 25-years-old, so she dressed pretty trendy, but smart.
"Hi, Catherine." Adele beamed, pulling a chair out from the kitchen table to sit down on
"I'd like to talk to you about your mummy and daddy." Catherine began
"Can I go home soon?" Adele cut in
Catherine paused a moment to think of how to explain to Adele about the situation "Remember when we told you about the house fire that happened? When you were at your friend's birthday party?" Adele nodded "Mummy and daddy were taken to hospital and the doctors gave them some magic medicine to try and get them better."
"Are they at home now?" Adele wondered
Catherine tried to remain calm and professional "Mummy and daddy have gone to the angels now."
Adele felt her stomach churn and she felt as if something had taken over as she found it difficult to breathe. Adele knew she wouldn't be seeing either of her parents, Chris or Anne, ever again as her friend, Sarah-Marie Dobson, lost her mother earlier in the year and Sarah-Marie was off school for a while. Even when Sarah-Marie returned, she was still so lost and upset. Joyce soothed Adele as Adele found it difficult to express her feelings.
"Can I go to bed?" Adele later asked
"Are you sure?" Joyce checked and Adele meekly nodded "Go on, love. I'll come up in a bit."
Adele dived onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow before bursting into tears. She cried and cried until her eyes were red and puffy. She looked at a framed photo of her parents on the bedside cabinet, which prompted Adele to place it in a draw and cry some more. By 5pm, Adele had changed into her pyjamas, but still laid motionless on her bed. In place of her parents photo was a plate of cheese sandwiches and some chocolate milkshake, which Joyce brought up to her. Adele was hungry, but she couldn't eat. She was too upset to eat. Adele heard footsteps and their was a light knock.
"Adele?" Mel gently began "It's me. Can I come in?" Adele shrugged her shoulders and Mel placed herself on the edge of the bed "I'm so sorry about your mum and dad. I can't imagine what it's like especially-" Mel decided to stop herself in case she upset Adele further before holding out her hand "I want to give you this."
Adele sat up and Mel held out her favourite locket, which Adele constantly borrowed. On the front of the locket, it was engraved with 2 hearts and 3 tiny pink crystals. Adele gave a small smile and she opened the locket and Mel had placed 2 photos inside-one of Adele, a recent school photo and another of Adele's parents on their 10th wedding anniversary, which they celebrated in Spain the previous year and they had renewed their vows.
"Thanks, Mel." Adele gave her a hug "You better go and get dressed."
"Dressed for what?" Mel wondered
"That party for your friend." Adele reminded
"Victoria McDonagh-Sykes?" Mel remembered "She has parties all the time with her mum and dad away. And she isn't really a friend-in fact, she's a bit of snobby show off." Mel paused and mocked Victoria "My name is Victoria. Not Vicky or Tori. Victoria. Understand?" Adele let out a small laugh and appreciated Mel trying to cheer her up
Over the next few weeks, well into early 1994, there were meetings held about Adele with various people-the police, teachers, her social worker and foster parents. They were deciding where Adele should live. Joyce and Doug were long term foster carers and expressed an interest in Adele staying with them so she could settle down, although they wanted the best for Adele. Instead of attending Oakley Woods, Adele had started attending a local primary school since after Christmas, Forest Lane Primary School. Adele was agitated by not knowing what decision would be made and as a result, she would play up. Adele's mum's older half-sisters, 40-year-old Kathleen and 34-year-old Linda, were traced in Manchester and they weren't keen on taking Adele when it was proposed due to the distant relationship they had with their dad and sister in the past. Kathleen decided to try and she and Adele got to know each other, but things went sour when Adele met Kathleen's children. Kathleen had 5 children-20-year-old Rachel, 17-year-old Tommy, 13-year-old Zara, 7-year-old Olivia and 1-year-old Daniel. Olivia especially disliked Adele and being the same age made it even more difficult. Olivia would purposefully misplace or damage anything of hers, claim she has lost it and when it turned up, she would argue with Adele and the others would side with Olivia. Things with Linda failed too and Adele didn't feel like she belonged with Linda and her children, who were 15-year-old Lucy and 6-year-old triplets Ethan, Erin and Eleanor. In May 1994, Adele decided to put a stop to the visits between her and her supposed "family". In June 1994, Joyce and Doug decided to apply for special guardianship for Adele, but a few days after they informed social services of their decision, Doug fell off a ladder when cleaning the window. Mel, Zoe and Adele stayed with Joyce's best friend whilst Doug was in hospital, but Joyce and Doug had to face up to a heart breaking fact-they wouldn't be able to keep fostering Adele. Doug would be off work recovering and Joyce would need to do more, Joyce would be working, Mel's GCSE's were looming, Zoe was starting Year 6 the upcoming September and the financial and emotional worries were too much. They cared about Adele so much, they didn't want her to go through anymore. Instead of turning their back on Adele, Joyce and Doug came up with another idea-for Adele to be fostered somewhere else for a while whilst they worked things out and then for her to come back. Despite initial hesitation, Catherine agreed to the idea.
One day after school, Mel, Zoe and Adele returned home from school after Doug was discharged from hospital. Their laughter stopped on noticing Catherine in the kitchen.
"Mum?" Mel wondered "What's going on."
Joyce took an anxious deep breathe "You know your dad has to have time off work for him to get better?" The girls nodded "Well, just for a little while...just until dad gets better...because we don't think it will be fair...well..." Joyce struggled to say it
"I'm leaving." Adele heartbreakingly finished, tears forming in her eyes
"Not forever." Doug reassured, pulling Adele up on his knee "Sweetheart, me and Joyce are your second mummy and daddy and we love you so much."
"Where am I going?" Adele wondered
"To this home called Stowey House." Catherine began "There will be other children, like you, who live there"
"We better go." Adele jumped off Doug's knee
45 minutes later, Joyce helped Catherine put Adele's belongings in the car. Adele said an emotional goodbye to Doug, Mel and Zoe whilst Joyce decided to accompany Catherine and Adele to settle her in.
"Bye, daddy." Adele hugged Doug
"Love you, sweetheart." Doug didn't want to let Adele go
"Bye, Mel." Adele threw her arms round Mel's waist
"Call me if you need me." Mel told her "See you soon, sis."
Adele and Zoe did their secret handshake and hugged before Adele jumped into the back of Catherine's car. Adele waved to her family as Catherine drove down the drive. Stowey House was 30 minutes away and Adele sat quietly, staring out of the window. Adele held back the tears that were forming in her eyes and she noticed Joyce wiping her eyes a few times. Catherine pulled up outside a quite large house and the sheer size frightened Adele. Outside, 2 women and 1 man were waiting. Adele tightly squeezed Joyce's hand as she was led to the front door.
"And you must be Adele." One women with braids in her hair said and Adele nodded "I'm Jenny. And this is Linda and Duke." Jenny pointed in turn "Come in and-" Everyone turned to see a girl, roughly 14, walk up to the door
"I'll sort her out." Linda told Jenny
Adele stepped inside and glanced. To the left, there was a lounge and to the right there was a dining room. 2 boys, aged 12, came running down the steps. Their names were Scott and Shaun Bradshaw and identical twins.
"Scott! Shaun!" Jenny reprimanded the pair "What have I told you about running?"
"It's better than sitting in front of the TV?" Shaun cheekily answered
Jenny gave them a look "It's dangerous." They both said in unison
"Good." Jenny smiled "You can go and help Duke with tea."
Scott and Shaun headed to the kitchen as Linda brought in the girl. Her name was Leah Evans and she was 14. Leah was in trouble as she had skipped school after dinner and hung out in the shopping centre with a group of friends. Leah had long black hair and she wore a red bandana and a spike dog collar with dark make up, something she often got in trouble about at school.
"You're grounded." Linda informed Leah
"No way!" Leah protested "It's Abbie Newman's 14th birthday tomorrow and I promised her since like last October that I'd go."
Jenny cut in "Why don't you redeem yourself?"
"How?" Leah suspiciously asked
"By looking after Adele." Jenny suggested "Take her to her room and settle her in."
"Do I have to?" Leah complained
"Unless you want to miss bowling, cinema, pizza and a sleepover." Jenny reminded her
Leah reluctantly agreed to take Adele whilst Jenny, Linda and Joyce discussed Adele in the office.
Adele tagged behind Leah as she went up 2 flights of stairs. Leah opened the door to reveal a sugar pink painted bedroom. It was already filled with toys and personal belongings, including a mirror wall and ballet bar, as Adele would be sharing.
"This is Carly's room." Leah told Adele "You'll be sharing. Enjoy."
Leah turned to leave "Wait a bit." Adele spoke
"She'll be here in a minute." Leah was desperate to leave
"I'll tell Jenny." Adele folded her arms "And get you grounded."
Leah was surprised and impressed by Adele, so she sat next to Adele on the bed.
"Who was that woman with you?" Leah asked "Not Catherine. Because she's here sometimes."
"My mum, Joyce." Adele responded "Not my real mum. My real mum and dad went to the angels last year."
Adele started to explain to Leah about her mum and dad, the fire, Joyce and Doug and Doug's accident.
"What did you do wrong?" Leah knew that you probably got moved if you did something bad
"Eh?" Adele was confused, starting to wonder what she had done wrong
"You get moved from a family with 3 children of their own." Leah was planting the idea that Adele was no longer wanted by the Reynolds, but Leah then noticed Adele about to cry "But maybe things will work out for you and believe me, that is something."
At that point, a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes came into the room. Her hair was tied up in a bun and she was wearing black leggings, a white polo shirt and a black fleece jacket with a logo, reading "Beaumont Silva School of Theatre Arts." It was Carly. Carly was 10 years old and loved performing arts, with a dream of becoming an actress. Unlike the other kids and going to a primary school, Carly attended Beaumont Silva full time, fitting in normal school work and performing arts.
"Laters." Leah quickly left
"Hi." Adele nervously said to Carly
"Hey." Carly gave Adele a smile as she unpacked her school uniform from her bag and picked a pair of blue denim jeans and a striped light blue and white t-shirt from her wardrobe.
Tea time came and Adele was introduced to all the other kids. Besides Leah, Scott and Shaun, the eldest child was 15-year-old Joanna "Jo" Allen and the youngest was 6-year-old Tyler Johnson. 11-year-old Emma Atkinson's 13-year-old half-brother was James Edwards. Emma and James had an older half-sister, 16-year-old Claire Atkinson, who lived in Canada with her dad. Carly's best friend was 9-year-old Aaliyah "Ally" Khan.
"Right." Duke began as he placed the final piece on Jo's plate "Tuck in."
Adele quickly ate her tea and drunk her orange juice before going upstairs to her room. Well it wasn't her room. It was Carly's and she had to remember she would be going home soon. Outside, Carly and an unenthusiastic Ally were making their way to Carly's room.
"Do we have to?" Ally complained
"Look, she's new here and doesn't know anybody." Carly reminded her "And Jenny asked me to look after her along with Leah."
"Fine." Ally sighed
Carly and Ally entered Carly's room and Carly sat beside Adele as Ally slouched against the wall.
Carly took a breath and decided to ask "Me and Ally were wondering if you wanted to come to the park tomorrow?"
Adele shrugged her shoulders "If you don't mind."
Carly and Ally helped Adele unpack her belongings. Carly gave Adele half her wardrobe space, she cleared some items from her dressing table so Adele could put some of her photos or whatever she wanted there and helped her make her bed. Carly noticed Adele's locket and gave her an old necklace box to put it in. That night, Adele struggled to sleep and she stared at the ceiling at what felt like ages, thinking of her parents and foster family. Adele soon fell asleep.
The following day was a Saturday. Prior to Leah's friend's birthday party, Leah agreed to take Adele, Carly and Ally to the park. Leah only agreed so she could meet a couple of friends there and to keep people off her back. The 3 girls were playing on the climbing frame.
"How come you 2 don't live with your mum and dad?" Adele wondered
"My dad died when I was 8." Carly told her "My mum is really sad and she can't take care of me until she is OK again. She'd been with my dad since she was 14. She is happy when she sees me do what I love the most-performing. My dad left me money so I could attend my school because he really wanted me to be able to perform."
Ally wasn't sure whether she wanted to share her life-she hadn't even told Carly in the year she had been at Stowey House, but she decided to pluck up the courage to tell them because they were bound to find out, only if they promised not to tell anyone else.
"Promise." Carly vowed
"Me too." Adele agreed
"My mum and dad kind of abandoned me here." Ally began "We came from Bangladesh last year-me, my parents, my younger twin brother and sister and my older brother. They saved all there money up to get a coach from Bangladesh through to Turkey and then we had to make our own way to the UK-we walked, took trains, the ferry. But mum and dad struggled and they knew it would be hard to achieve the better life they wanted. They took is inside a hospital and left us with clothes, food and some money and gave my big brother a letter. They left and we never saw them again. Sofia and Saaid, the twins, they're 4 and my brother Mohammed is 11. We've all been placed for adoption and the twins live with a foster family and Mohammed lives in a different home."
"Blimey." Carly was surprised at the difficult time Carly had been through
"I am OK." Ally insisted, not really wanting sympathy
Adele, Ally and Carly continued playing when a group of 5 youths approached them, 3 boys and 2 girls. Ally was about to go, but Carly and Adele pointed out that they were their first.
"Shift." A girl ordered, climbing up
"We were here first." Carly said
"Look's like we got a right one here." The girl said to boy in a cap
The boy started to climb up when Leah and her 2 friends noticed what was happening. Leah knew who they were and went over to intervene.
"Oi!" Leah called out to the boy in the cap "Aaron! Dimsdale!"
Aaron turned round and was surprised to see Leah "Ain't seen you for a while. And cut out the Dimsdale. My name is Aaron Dinsdale."
"You must be thick if you can pick on my mates." Leah defended Adele, Carly and Ally
"Your mates?" Aaron laughed at the thought of a teenager hanging out with young kids, but then realised what she meant "They're care kids?"
"Yeah." Leah said "So back off them in future."
"Sos." Aaron apologised to Adele, Carly and Ally
"Really?" Adele said "Then you can give us £10 out of that money you have."
Aaron was quite scared of them, so he gave them the money to keep them quiet and with that, the girls left to head to the shop to buy sweets, crisps and pop. It wasn't a wise thing as Adele, Carly and Ally felt sick all night, but they kept quiet about Leah and the gang as she helped them out.
3 weeks later on Friday, Adele returned home from school. She had been moved from Forest Lane Primary and now attended Bishop Primary School, like most of the others at Stowey House. It meant she has to swap her green school uniform for a red cardigan, grey skirt and white polo shirt. As Adele headed to go upstairs, Jenny called her.
"Yeah?" Adele wondered
"Joyce and Doug are here." Jenny told her
Adele suddenly felt sick with nerves, something she thought she wouldn't feel. Adele thought she would be happy reuniting with her foster parents, but she felt the complete opposite. Adele went into the 9 office and sat opposite Doug and Joyce, giving them a small grin. Doug had recovered from the worst of his accident and was back at work part time.
"Hi." Adele said in a quite voice
"Hi, sweetheart." Joyce held out her arms to give Adele a hug, but Adele politely refused
"How have you been?" Doug enquired "Have you made any pals?"
"Fine. And I have a few." Adele said
"We bought you some chocolate cake you like." Joyce held out a sweet tin
"No thanks." Adele shook her head "I don't like chocolate cake anymore."
Joyce put the cake back in her bag "Me and Joyce thought we'd go to the beach tomorrow." Doug began "We can go to the fair if you like. And perhaps get some fish and chips and ice cream."
"I went a few weeks ago with Leah and the others." Adele told him "Can I see Mel and Zoe?"
"If you like." Joyce nodded
"Joyce and Doug were wondering if you'd like to stay at their house this weekend." Jenny told Adele
"And maybe you'll be back home in time for your 8th birthday in August." Joyce smiled "That's only a month away."
"Sure." Adele jumped off the chair and headed upstairs to pack her overnight bag
Adele wouldn't be back at Stowey House until Monday after school, so she packed another uniform, some nightwear, underwear, shoes, jeans, jumpers and t-shirts. Adele decided to take her pink dress embroidered with little pink roses and silver shoes that Joyce and Doug bought her for Christmas. She also decided to take the locket Mel gave her and a framed photo of her and her family in Florida at Disneyland. 10 minutes later, Adele appeared downstairs with her purple rucksack, which Doug put in his car. After Joyce and Doug finished talking to Jenny, Linda and Duke, they drove back home.
When Adele reached the detached, country style house in the leafy, peaceful street, she grinned when she saw Rob, Mel and Zoe holding a banner reading "Welcome Home, Adele!". Adele jumped out of the car and ran to her siblings and they all hugged tightly.
"We missed you!" Zoe exclaimed
"Me too." Adele couldn't stop smiling
"Auntie Joyce!" An unfamiliar voice called
Adele turned round and saw a girl about the same age as her. She had curly ginger hair with blue eyes and wore a blue vest top with a matching skirt with some white and pink trainers.
"Who's she?" Adele questioned
"Adele, this is Megan. We're fostering her for a bit. Megan, this is Adele, mine and Doug's other foster daughter." Joyce introduced them to each other
"Pleased to meet you." Megan beamed
"Let's get inside then." Doug told everyone
Adele was led straight out into the garden, where Joyce and Doug had prepared a small party, not only for Adele's visit, but for Mel completing her GCSE's and for Rob's upcoming graduation. Doug's brother Paul was in charge of the barbeque whilst Kathleen, Joyce's sister, was just finishing putting up the pink bouncy castle. Adele noticed a girl identical to Megan wearing the same outfit, only in purple.
"That's Emily." Zoe told Adele "Megan's twin. They're both 9."
Rob had also brought his fiancée Christina "Chrissy" Aldridge, who was 23. Adele then smiled when she saw Sheila and Roy Reynolds, Doug's parents, and Joyce's parents, Mary and Alfred Watson. Adele headed over to her grandparents and wasn't pleased when Megan and Emily decided to join.
"Hi." Megan and Emily kissed their grandparents in turn before sitting down
"Hello, girls." Mary said
Things were silent for a moment and Emily decided to wind Adele up "We really loved going to the theme park yesterday, gran and granddad." Emily told Sheila and Roy "And thank you so much for our new skirt and top."
"It's quite alright." Roy nodded
"We bought you a skirt and top like Megan and Emily's, but in pink." Sheila told Adele "I think your mum has put it in your room."
"Thanks." Adele forced a smile before deciding to go to her room
Upstairs, Adele looked into Emily and Megan's room. The once white walls were painted baby blue and the white bunk beds were placed near their window seat. The bedding was identical on both Emily and Megan's bed-white with blue flowers. On the side table was a picture of Emily, Megan and their mother-in fact, there were quite a few. Adele was about to leave when she noticed a picture of Emily and Megan with Zoe in Adele and Zoe's secret tree house at the bottom of the garden. Adele was furious and upset because Doug bought and built the tree house for her and Zoe and it was a place where they would tell each other their secrets, dreams, fears and hopes. Adele ran down the stairs and into the garden, where she saw Zoe with her 11-year-old cousin William and she went over to her.
"Why did you show them the tree house?" Adele complained
"Huh?" Zoe was confused
"The tree house." Adele repeated "You showed it to Emily and Megan."
"It was only once." Zoe tried to reassure her
Emily and Megan were secretly smug about what was happening "It was only the once, Adele." Megan said "I don't know why you're getting upset over a stupid tree house. It's rubbish."
Adele couldn't take no more and threw lemonade over Megan "I hate you!"
"Adele!" Joyce sternly shouted "Up to your room."
Adele burst into tears and ran off whilst Megan played the victim and milked it and people rushed to her aid. In her room, Adele changed out of her uniform into a white polo neck jumper and black leggings before curling up on her bed. She heard Joyce's footsteps minutes later and her door open.
"Adele." Joyce began as she sat on Adele's bed "We need to talk about what happened."
Adele sat up with a miserable look on her face "Sorry." Adele told her, wanting to get things over with
"I am glad to here that." Joyce's tone softened "But you must understand what you did to Megan was totally unacceptable. She and Emily have had a hard time, however, if you do feel like they are upsetting you, come and talk to me and dad. Lashing out is never the answer."
Adele nodded and felt a bit better. She and Joyce made up with a hug and instead of going back outside, Joyce and Adele decided to spend some quality time together and both snuggled up onto the sofa to watch a film with fizzy pop, sweets, crisps and chocolate. After the film, Joyce, who was qualified in hair and makeup, did Adele's nails. She painted them light pink and from corner of each nail, she did a diagonal line of alternating small red and silver gems. Joyce then did a french braid in Adele's hair before allowing Adele to choose were the family should go out the following day and Adele decided she wanted to go ice skating followed by fish and chips then swimming.
Adele returned to Stowey House on Monday after school after what was considered a disastrous weekend. The twins had been taunting Adele all weekend. At the ice rink, Adele was made out to be rubbish by Emily and Megan. When they bought fish and chips, Megan and Emily got Adele into trouble by chucking theirs on the ground, pretending Adele did it. Adele was also jealous when Emily and Megan sat next to Zoe in the car on the way to swimming. At swimming, Megan and Emily planted Megan's clothes in Adele's bag, which landed Adele into bigger trouble. Adele was then relieved to learn on Saturday, when Joyce and Doug had a visit from Emily and Megan's social worker, Brian Garrett, that their mum was being discharged from hospital the following Friday.
Adele was in the garden playing with Carly and Ally. Carly was showing them a dance she learnt at school. Once she had done, Adele and Ally clapped and cheered and Carly decided to teach them some dance steps. However, Jenny interrupted and told Adele that Joyce and Doug were here and had something to ask Adele. Adele went to the office and was pleased to see Joyce and Doug and was thrilled that they had brought Zoe along.
"Where are the demon twins?" Adele whispered to Zoe
"At home with Mel." Zoe told her "I begged mum and dad to let me come."
Adele giggled and sat arm in arm with Zoe opposite Joyce and Doug "So, what do you want?" Adele wondered
"Well, me and Joyce have been talking quite a fair bit." Doug began
"And we would love for you to move back in permanently." Joyce continued
"And one thing we would love for you too agree to is for us to adopt you." Finished Doug
Adele was gobsmacked by the news and she couldn't quite process the news or how she felt.
"You don't have to make a decision this second." Joyce assured her "We have spoke to Catherine and we understand that it is your choice. And if you do, you can change your mind and it takes a while for it to be completed."
Adele stood up and turned to Jenny "Please can I go to my room?"
Jenny agreed and Adele quickly left and darted up the steps, knocking into Scott and Shaun playing football on the steps and breaking a photo frame on the wall, making Jo smudge her lipstick when she was applying it and standing on James' foot. Leah noticed Adele racing into her room and decided to see what was wrong.
"What's up, shrimp?" Leah dived onto the bed next to Adele
"Joyce and Doug want to adopt me." Adele said
"You could cheer up a bit." Leah nudged her "It's not every day someone is told people want to adopt them. If I was you, I'd take a chance." Leah told her "I'm 14, so no one will ever adopt me. And with adoption, you're guaranteed to have a family for life. What's the alternative? As soon as you've finished Year 11, you'll probably have to leave and when you're 18, that's it. Unless you're fostered, but it's still a similar thing."
"Does that mean Jo will be leaving next year? And you after her?" Adele panicked
"Afraid so, shrimp." Leah really wasn't bothered as she was prepared as much as she could be for her future "Just think about it."
For weeks, Adele though about the possibility of Joyce and Doug adopting her. One thing she was grateful for was Joyce and Doug not pressuring her into making a choice. Catherine answered all of Adele's questions and listened to her concerns. Adele celebrated her 8th birthday with Joyce and Doug, where they bought her a bike, some roller skates and clothes. Rob gave Adele some dolls, Mel got her some earrings and Zoe bought her some sweets, a book and DVD. Adele soon entered Year 4 and was spending more time with Joyce and Doug-Monday night to Thursday morning at Stowey House and the rest with Joyce and Doug. When Adele was picked up by Joyce and Doug one Thursday afternoon in November, Adele noticed Joyce and Doug were slightly different-sort of anxious. Whilst Joyce was making cauliflower cheese for tea, Adele decided to ask.
"Is something wrong, mum?" Adele wondered
"No, love." Joyce tried to convince Adele
"Mum." Adele knew something was wrong
"It's your dad." Joyce began and Adele was immediately full of worry "It's not bad. He applied for a job in Australia as a head teacher. He found out this morning he got it and he starts next February when the kids go back to school."
"Does that mean you're leaving?" Adele asked
"We are kind of hoping you would come with us if you wanted." Joyce said "But whatever you decide, we'll support you."
Adele tried to put the news to the back of her mind as she ate her cauliflower cheese, garden peas and carrots before playing a board game with Joyce, Doug, Mel and Zoe. The family settled down to watch TV and Adele went to bed at 8pm.
The next day at school, Adele was pulled out of PE as she had a meeting with Catherine and Adele wanted to discuss the adoption as she had made up her mind. Adele followed Catherine into an empty classroom and whilst Catherine sorted her paperwork out, Adele drew a picture of her. Before she knew it, Adele was drawing a picture of herself, looking very confused, with her friends on one side and her family on the other.
"Right then." Catherine began and Adele folded her picture up, tucking it into her cardigan sleeve "How are you?"
"Have mum and dad told you about leaving?" Adele asked
"They did." Catherine responded "But I do know they said you don't have to worry about making a decision."
"I already have." Adele said "I love mum and dad, but I don't want to leave. I don't want to live far away so I never see my friends anymore. Maybe when I'm older, but not now."
Catherine and Adele spoke in depth about her choice and Adele definitely wanted to visit her family in Australia in the holidays Catherine visited Joyce and Doug that day to inform them of the decision Adele made and they reassured Adele she was still their family, daughter and sister and they'd be there if she changed her mind. Adele was excited as she would be spending Christmas with them on the beach.
Adele knew it was the right thing for her to stay at Stowey House for now. As much as she loved Joyce, Doug, Rob, Mel and Zoe, she wasn't ready to take a huge step. And she still wasn't over the death of her parents. For now, Adele was happy.
I hope you liked this chapted. The next part will be about when Adele left im series 2.