Mike looked between the two women and could have cut the tension with a knife, until Mrs Young turned to him, smiled and held out her hand for him to shake.
"Mike Millican" he turned to shake Alex's hand aswell but she was off in her own world and didn't look like she wanted to be disturbed. Alex's mine was racing with guilt, how could she ask her dying mother that? Didn't she have enough to worry about?
"Right lets start in the kitchen and go from there"
Alex snapped back into reality when they were motioning towards the door. Time for the grand tour! Pushing her mother toward said kitchen, Mike gestured towards a room calling it 'the games room'. 'The games room' looked alright, plenty to do, maybe this place wouldn't be half bad Alex thought to herself.
Reaching the kitchen, eleven pairs of eyes turned towards them and stared. Alex felt like the new kid on there first day of school or when she was first introduced to her sqaud for her upcoming trip to Afghanistan. Pushing Mrs Young up to the table, and stealing a sneacky bit of toast in the process, Alex watch as her mother began to engage all the children in conversation about life at Elm Tree. She never let anyone feel left out, the skills of having six children fighting for your attention 24/7.
"Fancy a coffee?" Tracy inquired as Alex lent against the unit next to the kettle. Alex shook her head "Already had my alloted one cup for today"
"One cup?! How do you do it? Im already on my second" Tracy looked genuinely shocked. Alex allowed herself a smile, it always surprised people that did.
"Army. Strict with the intake of caffeine gotta keep fit" Alex frowned at her hand's before looking at Tracy "Whats it like here? Really?"
Tracy paused before saying "Wanna see the rooms?" Alex nodded now knowing for sure that she wouldn't be fed some bullshit story to keep people happy before they abandon there kids.
Alex put her hand on her mothers shoulder before whispering in her ear where she was going. Mrs Young smiled at her daughter and tried to tell her with her eyes that she did trust her but it was just the way it had to be.
As Alex and Tracy climbed the long staircase up, Tracy was chatting away quite merrily about Elm Tree. Telling stories of what happened there and how Mike had been her care worker when she was a kid and how he was great. Wait what?! Alex halted on the stairs and looked up at Tracy
"Your an ex care kid?" Tracy looked back trying to predict the reaction she would get when she admitted it. "Yeah, and I lived here until I was adopted. Its one of the best honestly"
Alex stood for a moment before shrugging and saying "It must be good if you wanted to come back so quick" Alex could see this was a good place, but she didn't want her siblings to become care kids. She would convince her mam the best place was with family. Even if she had to leave her dream job in the army to do it.