Chapter Four

Dear dad, Grace began, biting her lip. She tapped her pen against the paper, unsure.

I like it here. It feels safe… Like home.

Grace scribbled it out, casting the paper aside. She didn't want her father thinking she liked it in care. A knock on her door caught her attention, and the door opened to reveal Ryan.

"I haven't seen you since lunch. I thought I'd come and check on you," He said as an explanation.

Grace smiled, "I'm just trying to write back to my father. You know what he's like."

"Alright… Could you come down? Mike has asked me to clear up the lies I told and I want to tell the truth."

Grace sighed, and stood up, putting the lid on her pen. She followed Ryan out, and down the stairs. Everyone was gathered in the living room, very much like her first day, and she sat between Carmen and Tee.

"Okay," Ryan began nervously, "I know I told a lot of lies about my past when I first came, and Mike asked me to apologise about saying different things to different people."

Grace smiled encouragingly at him, and he rubbed his hands together, something he always did when he was worried.

"I realised that none of you would trust me until I told the truth, so here it is," Ryan said softly, fear creeping into his voice.

"I was put into care when I was eight years old, and I was split up from my little sister, who was five at the time," Ryan paused for a moment, glancing at Grace for support.

"Mum was an alcoholic, and beat me on a regular basis. Chloe never got hurt, though. She was innocent, could do no wrong. The beatings started when I was four, and Chloe was two. Chloe fell out a window; broke her spine, and mum blamed me."

Grace could see that his heart was breaking, but he was strong, "If it wasn't for Grace and her family, I would either be dead or still with mum."

Tee was shocked beyond words and turned to Grace, wanting to know whether it was the truth.

"Every word of that is true."

As Grace said those words, May-Li came in and announced dinner was ready. There was a mad dash for the kitchen, and Grace hung back for Ryan.

"Proud of you," She murmured as he draped an arm over her shoulders. He had never said anything about it out loud, and she was truly proud that he finally spoke the truth.

It was macaroni cheese for dinner, and Grace only ate a small portion, more focused on finishing her letter to her father. She had to write one; he expected it.

"Tee, you're on washing up duty," May-Li scolded, and Grace looked up. Tee had gone to leave, and was obviously trying to be sneaky about it.

She groaned, and went over to fill the bowl, knowing not to complain. Grace finished her food, and left the dining room alone, dashing up the stairs.

She knew what she needed to write, and she wouldn't hold back.

As she sat down with a fresh piece of paper, she sighed, knowing he wouldn't like the truth.

Dear dad,

Thanks for the extra cash, it got put to good use.

I'm fine, I just miss the girls.

I like it here, it's… well, it's not quiet, but it's nice here. It's safe.

At home, mum was always sick and I had to do everything, and it was just exhausting.

Here, I only have my share of chores. I don't do everything.

I miss you and John very much, but I think I need to be here.

I'm not alone with a bunch of strangers, Ryan lives here too. I missed him.

I've made friends, Tee and Carmen are the best. They even helped me go shopping for clothes, you know I've always been useless at that.

I hope you and John are okay.

Lots of love,

Grace xxxx

She folded the letter and slid it into the already addressed envelope, and put a stamp on it. Grace stood from her desk, and slipped the envelope under her pillow.

She smiled, and left her bedroom, tucking her hands into her pockets.