"Right, that's me finished so I'm just going to pop to yours to pick up Ellie" Stevie explained to Faith. Faith nodded. She still had an hour or so left of her shift.
"Have you heard from Ellie today?" Faith asked and Stevie nodded.
"Yeah, I got her a phone yesterday as she was a bit anxious about leaving me. She's messaged me a couple of times" Stevie explained, and Faith nodded. She felt it was a good idea to get the girl a phone.
"Has she been okay?" Faith asked and Stevie nodded.
"She's saying that Natalia and Ana have been amazing" Stevie said, and Faith smiled. She was glad that her daughters were helping out.
"They are good role models" Faith said, and Stevie agreed.
"Definitely, that's who I'd like Ellie to learn from" Stevie said, and Faith smiled.
"What are you going to with Ellie when you are working?" Faith asked and Stevie shrugged.
"Well, she is 12 so I'll give her a house key. If it's too long, then she'll have to come to the hospital" Stevie explained, and Faith nodded.
"Please, let me know if and when you are stuck, and I will help when I can. I know the girls will as well especially Nat. She is studying a lot just now but after her exams, she'll have a lot more time even if it's just to keep the girl company. My parents will take her if they have Luca as well." Faith explained.
"Thank you so much, that would be really helpful." Stevie said, "I'm not completely sure how I'm going to make this work".
"You have me, I will help. You will get through this" Faith said giving her friend a hug. Stevie smiled.
Stevie quickly changed before heading to her car and driving to Faith's.
"Did you have a good day?" Stevie asked entering Faith's house putting her arms around the girl. Ellie nodded into her aunt's chest. She had had a good day with both Ana and Natalia. The girls had both been fantastic with the girl and took time to make sure that she was kept busy and happy, but the girl was glad that her aunt was back.
"Right, we best head home now" Stevie said, "Say thank you to both Ana and Natalia."
Ellie nodded and did as she was told. She nervously thanked the girls and they both took turns pulling her into a hug. They knew that they were going to be seeing a lot more of Ellie. She had been lovely today and they were going to message Stevie explaining that they would both be happy to look after her again if needed.
The evening went quickly by the time they got dinner and settled for bed.
"I'm a bit scared, kind of nervous for tomorrow" Ellie whispered towards Stevie as she snuggled up in bed with her aunt.
"What do you feel nervous about?" Stevie asked.
"The police and what I'll have to do." Ellie explained, and Stevie nodded. That would be nerve wracking for the girl.
"It's making me so scared that I'm not going to get to stay with you" Ellie admitted. "I guess I'm not totally happy because of what's just happened, but I feel so safe living with you. I feel like I can be me."
Stevie felt so happy that the girl felt that way.
"I'll do whatever I have to do to have you living with me" Stevie said "I really can't see them saying no. They might be a bit difficult and say that you have to stay in care until I am checked but I don't know."
Ellie nodded before relaxing into the hold of her aunt.
Following Day
Ellie heard her name being called but she was not ready to get up. She pulled the pillow over her head and turned to face the other way.
"Oi, I know that trick. I was the person who invented it" Stevie said as she fought to get the pillow off of the girl. Ellie scold at her auntie.
"I've let you as late as possible. I need you to get up and dressed now" Stevie said, and Ellie frowned her eyebrows at her aunt. She never did this, she always needed time to come too, her aunt hadn't given her that and she was not happy.
"What clothes do you want to wear?" Stevie asked looking through the wardrobe.
"I can pick my own clothes you know, I'm not a baby. I managed 12 years on my own. Just give me some fucking space" Ellie shouted and glared at her aunt.
"Only trying to help" Stevie said raising her hands and walking out the room. She really wasn't happy about how the girl was speaking to her but wasn't sure what the best way to deal with it was. She just wanted to get the police interview over with.
Ellie emerged almost 20 minutes later having sneaked into the bathroom. She sneaked past her aunt, embarrassed for her behaviour. She didn't know how to deal with it or what to say.
"Do you have something to say?" Stevie asked leaning back on the table. Ellie looked around nervously biting her lip unsure what to do.
"Sorry" She admitted nervously.
"I'll let it slip this time, but I want you to never speak to me like that again. Do I make myself clean?" Stevie said and Ellie nodded. She didn't know whether or not to let Stevie know the reason, she was scared now.
"We need to leave now" Stevie said as she threw her bag over her shoulders and indicated for the girl that she wanted her to leave. Nervously, Ellie left the flat and walked down the stairs to Stevie's car.
The drive to the police station was very quiet. They were going to a special SARC centre which also helped with sexual abuse in minors. It was a bit further away, but Stevie was happy to drive to it. Ellie spent the whole drive worrying looking out of the window. Everything was going around her head and she couldn't stop thinking about it all.
"You okay?" Stevie asked and Ellie nervously nodded before staring back out of the window. They soon arrived at the SARC centre and got out of the car. They entered the building and were ushered into a room.
"Right, please don't worry. We just want to get all of the information so that we can not only ensure John is charged but also give you the help that you need" The officer explained as they sat down on the sofa. Stevie glanced at Ellie and noticed that something really wasn't right with the girl. She wasn't sure exactly what it was, but she knew it was something.
"Do you want your aunt to stay with you whilst we do the interview, or will you be okay alone?" The officer asked.
"I'll be fine by myself" Ellie said, and Stevie was shocked the girl's response.
"Are you sure?" She asked and Ellie nodded.
"I'll wait outside then" Stevie said feeling slightly hurt and leaving the room.
"You are very brave" the officer said, and Ellie nodded. She looked around nervously and kept a tight hold of her arms.
"So we are going to review your interview and go over it in more detail" the officer explained and Ellie nodded.
"You said that it started when John joined Derry House" the officer explained, and Ellie nodded. She didn't feel like speaking and she wasn't sure what she was meant to say.
"When was the first time that you did something inappropriate to you?" She asked and Ellie shrugged.
"Like a month or two once he started working there, I think. I can't remember what he did the first time. I think he just started like giving me hugs and then he'd touch my bum and like move his hand up my thigh" Ellie explained.
"On top of clothes or under?" She asked.
"At the start, he always did it on the top but then he started to do it underneath after a while" Ellie said. She was really starting to worry that she wasn't answering the questions correctly and that John might get away with it.
"Ellie, are you okay?" The officer asked as she started noticing the girl's eyes starting to go around the room. She noticed a difference in the girl's breathing, and it instantly got worst as soon as it was highlighted that she wasn't okay.
"I want my aunt" Ellie begged, "Please get me my auntie".
The office nodded and stood up. She exited the room and went into the waiting area where Stevie was sitting reading a magazine.
"Ellie wants you" The officer explained and instantly Stevie was off her seat and following the officer. She turned into the room and straight away the girl was in her arms. She brought the girl down to the sofa as she felt the sobbing into her chest starting.
"I have you now" Stevie said.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry about earlier. I really didn't mean to be rude. And I still need you, I didn't really want you to go but I was scared" Ellie started ranting to her aunt as she clung directly to her aunt.
"Don't worry about it now" Stevie said as she stroked the girl's hair trying to help her relax. Stevie mumbled reassuring comments into the girl's hair until she felt her breathing return to normal. She helped the girl sit up but kept a tight hold of her hand showing her that she was there.
"I'm doing it all wrong, he's going to get away with it. I'm ruining it" Ellie said letting all of her fears out.
"No, you aren't, darling. You just need to tell the truth" Stevie said trying to make sure that the girl doesn't get herself in a state again. Ellie gulped and nodded. Her aunt was right, she just needed to listen to her.
"Are you ready to carry on?" The officer asked and Ellie nodded.
"How long do you think it was that he started touching you over the clothes. What did he start doing next?" The officer asked.
"Em, I don't know but it was less than a year. Then he started to kiss me. He'd push me onto the bed and kiss me all over, underneath my clothes as well." Ellie explained. She nervously looked at her aunt. Stevie squeezed her hand tightly.
"Then on my 11th Birthday, that's the first time that you started doing stuff down there. He mainly used his tongue after he kissed down my tummy but sometimes he would find something else." Ellie explained. The officer nodded.
"He would also like move around on top of me and it was like he was in a trance or something. Then he would moan and leave. A couple of months ago, he started saying that my body was changing" Ellie mentioned.
"I really don't want to say what he was saying, it's too private" Ellie admitted.
"Maybe when you are ready, you can tell a counsellor, or your auntie" the officer explained. Ellie looked at Stevie.
"You can tell me whenever you are ready" Stevie said, and Ellie nodded.
"He just did the same type of thing until Friday" Ellie explained, "On Friday, he came in and started off exactly the same but he was harder. He's left bruises on me before, but it was worse on Friday. He went right the way down like he normally does but then he moved me and he pulled his boxers down. I didn't understand what he was going to do. He just pushed himself inside of me".
Ellie let a tear slip down her face. Stevie squeezed the girl's hand reassuringly.
"I've got you" Stevie said pulling the girl into a side hug. Ellie nodded her head.
"He kept moving around and he was like in his own world. I couldn't get him to stop so I just stayed still. Things were happening that I didn't understand, then he was like really out of breath and his grip of me relaxed as he grabbed the sheets. I was able to push him away from me then I hit my head" Ellie explained.
"Ellie, you have been so brave. You should be so proud of yourself, I'm sure your auntie is very proud of you as well" The officer said, and Stevie nodded.
"You are the bravest girl that I know", Stevie said giving the girl a kiss on the head.
"I don't think we need to do anything else today unless you have anything else you want to speak about" The officer explained, and Ellie shook her head.
"We will also be here in the future to offer you support if you want it. We will keep you up to date with the case as well" The officer explained, and Stevie nodded along with Ellie.
They quickly said their goodbyes before getting back into Stevie's car.
"We can go and get some lunch before heading to your social worker's for a meeting at 2" Stevie explained and Ellie nodded though to be honest she really wasn't hungry. They ended up passing a Costa's on the way home so decided to go in there.
"What do you want?" Stevie asked as they were in the queue.
"I'm not very hungry" Ellie admitted as she crossed her arms tightly around her stomach.
"I want you to eat something, I'll even let you get a cake or something chocolaty" Stevie tried hoping it might appetize the girl, but she didn't look so sure.
"What about a drink?" Stevie suggested and Ellie looked at the menu. She normally just got water as she thought it was quite expensive in here.
"Can I maybe get a frappe?" She asked "The strawberry and cream one looks good, but I've never had one before."
Stevie nodded; she just wanted the girl to get some calories in her as she hadn't eaten all day.
"No problem and if you don't like it. Don't worry about it, you can get something else" Stevie explained. She quickly got herself a toastie before turning back to the girl.
"I would like you to get something to eat, but it is up to you what you get" Stevie asked. She was surprised that the girl wasn't straight over to the cakes. She noticed the girl thinking carefully.
"I hope it's not the price that you are staring at" Stevie scolded. Ellie jumped slightly and glanced back at her aunt, she had been caught in the act.
"Have anything you want, I mean it" Stevie said, and Ellie nodded.
"I just want some toast" Ellie admitted embarrassingly.
"No problem" Stevie said squeezing the girl's shoulder. "Do you want to go and find us a seat and I'll join you?"
Ellie nodded and quickly found them a seat. She went for the table with the sofa style armchairs. She sat down and crossed her arms again.
It didn't take long for Stevie to come and join them. She tilted her head as she sat down next to the girl.
"Are you really okay?" Stevie asked, "Do you have a sore stomach?"
"It's a tiny bit sore" Ellie admitted.
"Okay, well hopefully the toast helps settle it, if not tell me and I can give you some medicine. I can also feel it and see if that helps" Stevie explained, and Ellie nodded.
"It might be a bit of nerves before the social worker meeting too" Stevie said, and Ellie nodded. She was nervous and not really in the talking mood now. Stevie accepted this; she didn't want to push things too much.
"Is the frappe nice?" Stevie asked.
"Yes, thank you" Ellie said, and Stevie smiled. She wished that the girl wasn't going through all this.
"Are you ready to go?" Stevie asked and Ellie nodded. "Bring the rest of the frappe with you".
Ellie picked it up and they walked to the car. Stevie kept glancing at her niece, she just didn't know what to do or say to comfort her.
They soon arrived at the social worker's office and instantly Stevie noticed just how nervous Ellie was.
"We are doing this together" Stevie said as she walked around to meet the girl. She squeezed the girl's hand tightly and smiled at her.
They walked to the lift and Ellie showed Stevie were to go. She had been to the office a couple of times. She usually met Lynn out in the community or at the children's home, but she did sometimes go to the office.
"Hello, come through to the meeting room. It's bigger and a bit more private" Lynn explained, and they both followed her. Stevie sat down and encouraged Ellie to find a chair and bring it over, but Ellie wasn't so sure.
"I want to sit on your knee. I'm scared" Ellie admitted, and Stevie nodded. At least to start with, she would let the girl sit on her knee. As soon as she was in Stevie's arms, she put her head on her aunt's shoulders.
"I don't think I've seen this side of Ellie before" Lynn admitted smiling as she walked into the room. Stevie smiled, she loved seeing this side of the girl.
"Right, it's slightly complicated and I've spent much of this morning trying to sort this out with my manager and anyone else that I needed to speak to, and I think we have found a loophole in the system and you will be able to stay with Stevie whilst we go through all the guardianship paperwork" Lynn explained and Ellie let go of the breath she was holding in. She turned to her auntie and tried to hide in her as she felt the tears starting to flow down her face.
"Oh baby" Stevie said as she pulled the girl right onto her knee as much as she could.
"I was so scared that I would be on my own again" Ellie sobbed into her auntie.
"Never, that is something you never need to worry about" Stevie said starting to rock the girl until the tears subsided.
Stevie kept a tight hold of Ellie as she listened to Lynn. She was keen to get the forms filed out as quickly as possible. They completed the forms and then organised a date for a house visit. It took them about 45 minutes but then they were finally able to leave. Stevie's legs were going numb so she was glad that Ellie stood up.
"Right, we need to go to Derry House to collect your things" Stevie explained and Ellie nodded. It didn't take them long to get there.
"I can't go into the room" Ellie said biting her lip and Stevie nodded.
"Listen, I'll just throw all of your things into a suitcase, okay" Stevie said and Ellie nodded. She sat down the stairs and knew that she could trust her aunt to get all of her things.
"Right, that is the room empty. I just took everything, but we can have a look through it and get rid of anything you don't need" Stevie explained, and Ellie nodded. She knew that she didn't have anything that she needed to hide from her aunt.
"Let's get home" Stevie said taking a hold of the girl's hand. Ellie nodded, that was what she needed.
They arrived home and Ellie sprawled out on the sofa whilst Stevie disappeared to make a phone call. She returned about 20 minutes later.
"Right, I've phoned the school, so they know everything. It's all changed to my details. I want you to know that you can always text, okay? I want you to follow school rules, no mucking about on your phone at school but if you ever need me, text me. I give you permission to nip to the toilet to text me, but only me" Stevie explained, and Ellie nodded. That sounded fair, she knew not to give her aunt a reason not to trust her, especially when she had been so good to her.
"How are you feeling now?" Stevie asked sitting on the sofa next to her niece's feet. Ellie shrugged. She didn't know whether to be honest or not, she wasn't used to this. Stevie raised her eyebrows.
"My tummy is still sore" She admitted embarrassed.
"Right, will you let me have a feel?" Stevie asked and Ellie nodded. Stevie gently felt the girl's tummy and nodded.
"I think it's a bit of cramp, your abdomen is quite tight" Stevie explained.
"What does that mean?" Ellie asked nervously.
"Nothing, it just means that you probably will be starting your periods soon" Stevie explained.
"How soon?" She asked nervously.
"Like a month or so" Stevie explained, and Ellie nodded but she was still nervous.
"Speak to me and you'll be fine, I promise" Stevie said, and Ellie nodded.
"Also we need to get you eating properly again, I don't know if your sore stomach might be because you are a bit constipated.
"What? No I'm not, you are so embarrassing" Ellie shouted. She went bright red.
"It's not embarrassing" Stevie said, "Why don't you go and have a banana?"
Ellie turned over and hide underneath the pillow.
"Okay, okay, I'll drop it now" Stevie said laughing.
"So, do you want to talk to me about this morning?" Stevie asked after 15 minutes of them sitting still.
"I'm always in a very bad mood when I'm woken up. I need at least 15 minutes to come to before I speak to anyone. I'm sorry" Ellie admitted, and Stevie nodded.
"Okay, well I'm glad that I know about that now but I am not happy about the way that you spoke to me" Stevie explained and Ellie nodded.
"I know, I'm very sorry" She admitted.
"So why didn't you want me in with you when you were interviewed?" Stevie asked and Ellie shrugged.
"I'm sorry, I was just being difficult. I was a little bit scared that I was trusting you too much and I didn't know how I would survive if I couldn't stay with you. I was scared" She admitted, and Stevie nodded. She understood and pulled the girl into her arms.
"Please don't be scared anymore" Stevie said, and Ellie nodded. It was something she was going to have to work on.
"I love you" Ellie said, and Stevie smiled.
"I love you too" Stevie said pulling the girl into a tight hug.
Thank you for the reviews! Does anyone have any ideas for the next few chapters?