Tyler POV

The day had finally come. Carmen and Tee were leaving for the Halfway House, and none of us knew how to feel about it. These were the girls that Jody and I had known since joining the Dumping Ground, and now they were leaving. Forever.

Mike and May-Li smiled sympathetically at our sudden silence at breakfast.

"C'mon you miserable lot, there's still a lot to be done before they leave. We need to get the party started!"

I grinned. Mike could always cheer us up on days like this. And one day, it would be us leaving the Dumping Ground, starting our new lives.

Us.

For some reason, I couldn't imagine leaving the Dumping Ground without Jody. I mean she was my best friend after all!

"What's the first thing you'd do when you leave here?" I asked curiously, as we hid under the table to surprise them.

"Haven't really thought about it.." Jody replied.

Such lies.

"Of course you have! I mean we all have. I am going to move in with mum, eventually.." I wondered aloud, before realising how insensitive that must have been, "Sorry.."

"Sorry?"

"You know.. with your mum and Kingsley being in prison and all that.." I mumbled, "Sorry I didn't think.."

"That's alright," she reassured me, "Kingsley's doing okay. He's passing exams and stuff. He's changed!"

I couldn't help but return her smile. Maybe we would all get our happy ending after all!


Jody POV

I didn't really know what I was doing. It just... sort of happened. Like second instinct. And then Kingsley kept texting me, asking me about whether the flat was ready for his arrival.

Someone had to step up.

And this was only temporary. Just until he got back on his feet. But Carmen's reaction to the stolen photo, made my insides stir. I mean, what was wrong with just printing out another photo of us?

But I stole from her. From all of them.

And the worst thing was, Tyler had no idea. No idea, that I'd planned to go live with Kingsley. But he'd understand right?

He'd understand that family came first. My real family.

"Jody? You alright?" his hand came and rested on my shoulder. I flinched involuntarily in surprise.

"Uh.. yeah!" I replied, "Just sad about them leaving, y'know.."

He seemed to accept that answer and May-Li called him away to meet his social worker. I needed to cover up what I'd done big time. Knowing Carmen, she wasn't going to let this drop until she left, and no one wanted that to happen. Especially not on Tee and Carmen's last day.

I found myself joining Mo, Bailey and Joseph as they discussed how Mo's lava lamp and Carmen's photo disappearing can't have been a coincidence.

"Maybe someone just wanted to cause chaos on Carmen and Tee's last day?" Bailey suggested.

"A prankster you mean? Tyler?" Mo added.

"No" I stated firmly, "He's been too busy with his social worker, it won't be him"

"You think we should tell Mike and May-Li?" Joseph asked.

"Where's the fun in that?" Bailey asked.

"Yeah, hand our investigation over? Nah.." Mo added.

Investigation? No, I couldn't risk being found out. Besides, Kingsley was expecting me to have the flat ready by tomorrow. I needed to sort this out now. But the boys weren't having it.

"No we need you!" Archie moaned, as I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah Joseph's right.." Bailey added and I found myself unable to say no. Then an idea occurred to me.

At least this way, I could make sure they didn't find out it was me.


We decided to start downstairs, and look for any more traces of things being stolen.

"We need more evidence.." Bailey was saying.

"More evidence? We haven't got any evidence!" I exclaimed annoyed.

"Look.." Bailey whispered, pausing on the stairs.

"I don't see anything.." I muttered staring at the blank space on the wall.

"Exactly, the thief strikes again.." he added.

My thundering heart paused momentarily in relief. Whoever stole this painting wasn't me. And I had an alibi. No one would suspect me.

We soon caught Floss red-handed with the painting and watched her skip up the stairs in innocence. No way. This was great! I could actually get away with this.

Bailey pounced skilfully into her room and grabbed the picture frame.

"Explain this!" Bailey demanded as Floss looked utterly bewildered. I felt a twinge of guilt.

"Just.. go easy on her.." I said quietly.

"Well?"

"I was just borrowing it! It's for Carmen, Finn's doing a picture" she exclaimed.

"It's a painting.." he muttered from behind the door, and we all peered at his incomplete painting. It was a really sweet idea.

And as if I wasn't feeling bad enough! I needed to keep reminding myself of why I was doing this. It was for Kingsley. For our future.


Joseph and I were out on a 'stake-out'. We'd come up with a theory that Carmen and Tee might have stolen the objects for their new place. Stupid, if you ask me but I wasn't complaining.

Tee peeked round the corner as we quickly hid the walky-talky.

"What are you two up to?" she asked suspiciously.

"Nothing. Over-copy-over.." Joseph replied.

Idiot.

"We're just.. playing and chatting y'know.. playing and chatting.." I hastily covered up, whilst grabbing Joseph's hand and trying to play pat-a-cake.

She strolled off, and I knew that I had to get rid of the objects before anyone found out. This was getting way too risky.

"Right! Time I was off..." I exclaimed.

"Where are you going?"

"Dentist.." I replied smoothly, trying to act casual.

Once I reached the safety of my room, I quickly packed away the things into my bag and paused at the photo frame, recalling the painting that Finn was doing to make up for it. Maybe I went a bit too far. I left the photo in Carmen's suitcase with a note, and snuck out to the flats unnoticed.

Once I reached the flat, I arranged the objects nicely within the rooms. I had scented candles, woven bins and even a few of my own treasures decorating the house. I sighed in content after I was done. This place was starting to feel like home.

I couldn't wait for Kingsley's release; finally, I could get my family back!

But my happiness wouldn't last. The minute I got back, Carmen dragged me up to her room.

No one could find out. No one.


She closed the door with a click and showed me the note.

" 'Soz Carmz', Jody, me and Tee were accused of stealing!" she stated angrily.

"And? What's that got to do with me?" I asked playing dumb.

"Everything!"

"Good thing you're not training to become a detective cos I ain't got a clue what you're talking about.." I stated confidently. Maybe she'd drop the whole thing.. it was her last day.

"Should I go and give Mike a shout then?!" she threatened walking towards the door.

"No! No, please don't tell Mike.." I exclaimed fearfully. If he found out, he'd stop Kingsley and I from ever having a future.

Carmen stared at me tearfully, quietly waiting on an explanation. Her eyes seemed to shine with disappointment but worst of all betrayal. I betrayed the Dumping Ground.

"I did take them but.. I'm only borrowing them until.. I'm going to give them back, I promise.." I whispered truthfully.

Just then, Tee walked in. The awkward silence in the room seemed to linger for a lifetime.

"Everything ok?" Carmen asked her.

"Yeah, Jim's taking us; the car's all packed up.." she muttered, staring at me confused.

"I'll be down in a moment.." Carmen stated as she left reluctantly. That was close.

"You know.." Carmen sighed sitting down on her bed, "we're actually really, really alike you and me. Believe me, I don't want it to be true either but it is. You're a survivor. You do whatever it takes to get what you want and you always try and do it on your own. I'm not going to tell anyone that you took the stuff, providing that you keep your promise and you do give everything back.."

I nodded somewhat tearfully at her analysis. Despite all our petty fights, I did care about her. And maybe, I'd been ignoring the fact that Carmen leaving would make me really sad. The big sister that I'd never had. The one person that rescued me from my foster family. But, Kingsley was good now. Really good.

And what kind of a sister would I be if I didn't give him another chance?

"I don't think you're going to tell me why.. you took everything?" Carmen continued despite my inner torment.

I shook my head in silence.

"I didn't think so.." she whispered sadly, "A lot of people have been good to me in this place Jodes, everyone giving me the benefit of the doubt and just.. trusting that I'd do the right thing. Eventually. And that's what I'm gonna do with you okay?"

I barely held back the tears. It was tearing me apart, knowing that I'd betrayed everyone.

"Hey, talk to someone, anyone!" she stated, grabbing me by the shoulders, "Mike? May-Li? Me? Just let people help you... okay?"

She cupped her face in her hands and gave me one final look before leaving the room.

"Goodbye Jody Jackson.." she stated, crying.

The lump in my throat was too much to bear, "Bye, Carmen Howle.."

I watched the car drive off from the window. It was true; they were the big sisters of the Dumping Ground.

And now they could look forward to their new futures as independent women. Carmen would understand eventually. They all would. I just needed to show my own family, how much I cared about them.

So I could have the same bright future.


Tyler POV

I couldn't sleep. I couldn't stop thinking about what Carmen said. She'd sounded so serious.

"Make sure you watch out for Jody okay? She needs looking after.."

Was my best friend in trouble?