"Hello" May-Li said as she arrived at the Dumping Ground. It was her day off and the plan was to introduce Farah to Alice. They had heard a lot about each other but were yet to actually met. It was decided that meeting the whole family at once would be too much for Farah so they were doing it gradually.
"Where is Farah?" She asked Mike.
"She's just up the stairs, she should just be a minute. She's a bit nervous about today" Mike said and May-Li nodded. Although, she was close with the girl, the presence of another adult was a lot on the young girl.
"Farah" May-Li called and the girl came running down the stairs. She was playing with her hand, something she did when she was nervous. May-Li put a supportive arm around her shoulders and smiled to her.
"This is Alice, Alice this is Farah" May-Li said moving the girl to stand next to her wife.
"Hello Farah, it's a pleasure to finally met you. I have heard so much about you" Alice said, and Farah smiled. She looked nervously at May-Li, the woman nodded encouragingly to her. Alice knew that Farah was mute so knew not to expect her to speak back.
"So, May-Li said that you love waffles. We were thinking that we could go to the country park for a walk and then on the way home go to that new dessert restaurant that has just opened" Alice suggested, and Farah smiled enthusiastically. She had been desperate to go to the new dessert place. She had been saving up her pocket money and was hoping to go sometime next week.
Farah went straight to the door, desperate to get moving so that it would be sooner that they would go to the dessert place. May-Li and Alice looked at each other and smiled, they knew that they were doing the right thing.
They arrived at the country park and started walking. Farah was yet to speak but Alice and May-Li just had their own conversation, including the girls however they could with yes, no answers. May-Li was used to the girl finding it difficult to speak so it wasn't awkward. Farah was also starting to relax. She skipped ahead of May-Li and Alice but still listened to their conversation.
Once they had gone around the lake, they bundled into the car and went to the dessert place. Farah busied herself in the menu trying to decide what she wanted. There were so many choices, she couldn't decide.
"What are you thinking?" May-Li asked as she lent over the girl's menu. Farah pointed to the strawberry and white chocolate waffle.
"Oh that does sound nice" May-Li said before the waitress came over and took their order. May-Li ordered for the girl knowing that it was too stressful for her to order herself.
"Did you have fun today?" Alice asked and Farah nodded.
"Thank you" She managed to say, although very quick Alice heard her. She smiled at May-Li and the support worker smiled back. She couldn't believe how quickly Farah had relaxed with Alice. It was the first time they had met and Farah had already spoken to her. Although it was only a small two words, it was a start.
The waffles arrived and they got stuck in. Farah was so happy with her choice and even managed to finish it all.
"Wow you must have been hungry to manage all of that" May-Li said.
"Best food ever" Farah whispered and May-Li smiled.
"Well, we best get back" May-Li said as she stood up to pay. Farah got out her bag and fumbled around to find her purse.
"Hey no, this is our treat. We are your new foster parents, soon to be adopted parents when you are ready. We pay for things from now on. You still get your pocket money but we pay for most things" May-Li explained. Farah blushed but agreed. She closed her bag.
May-Li went to pay leaving Alice and Farah at the table alone. Farah made sure to always keep her eyes on May-Li. She was slightly nervous being with Alice on her own. Today was only day one, it had been a lot for her.
"Don't worry, May-Li is just over there. She is going to pay and then come back for us. Why don't we put our jackets on so that we are ready for when she returns?" Alice suggested and Farah nodded. The young girl stood up and placed her jacket on, the whole time making sure not to take her eyes off the care worker.
May-Li returned not even five minutes later. She already had her jacket on and was glad that everyone was ready.
"Do you want to go to the toilet before we leave?" She asked. Farah nodded, that would be a good idea, she had just drunk a large fanta orange. It was a 20 minute car journey home as well.
May-Li stated that she would go as well. Alice would wait for them in the car. It was also a good opportunity to make sure that Farah was happy. She knew the girl would speak more when it was just the two of them.
"Was today good?" May-Li asked, and Farah nodded. As soon as May-Li asked the question, a large smile went across Farah face and May-Li knew that this was a real smile.
"Good, on Thursday I will be picking you up from school. I will have Jake and Sophie with me too" May-Li explained, and Farah nodded. It was helpful that Farah's school finished 20 minutes after Jake's school. They would have to have a conversation about whether they would move Farah as well when she moved in. It would be easier, but it was completely up to Farah, if she didn't want to move schools then they would make it work.
They quickly went to the toilet and while May-Li was washing her hands Farah came out looking sheepish.
"What's the matter?" May-Li asked, and Farah looked at her care worker nervously.
"I've come on and I don't have anything" She admitted nervously.
"Okay, look here is a pad" May-Li said as she opened her bag and found a sanitary pad for the girl. Farah was very relieved and returned to the toilet to sort herself out. Once she was ready, she walked out and washed her hands.
"Remember to make sure that you always have spare ones in your bag in case you are out. Are you not regular?" May-Li asked as she lent back on the sinks. She felt that she needed to ensure that the girl was willing to speak to her again about periods and puberty. Although they did speak about it at the children's home, it was different when they moved into a foster home and eventually go onto adoption. May-Li wanted the girl to realise this.
"Not really, I try mark it on the calendar, but it doesn't match up. I don't really know if I'm doing it right" She admitted.
"Hey don't worry. Look I'll put it on my phone as well and see if that helps. Remember when you do move in, it's important that we are open about things like this. I will try to make sure that we always have supplies in the house but you might need to remind me" May-Li said and Farah nodded. She knew that it would be different from being in the care home.
"Shall we go and find Alice now?" May-Li asked and Farah nodded.
"I like Alice, I had fun today" Farah said as she linked up with May-Li. May-Li smiled, that was what she really wanted to hear. That was them over one hurdle.
So what do you think? Any ideas what could happen when Farah meets May-Li's two children?