‘Something else I need to thank you for.’
‘OK, now I’m the one feeling stupid. I’m welling up.’ Quickly wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands, Molly said, ‘This is crazy, but I just feel so proud of you. And Laura would be so . . . happy . Tell me everything that’s been happening. What do you have to do to prove you’re capable? Do they test you on stuff?’
‘Like you wouldn’t believe. I’m a kinship carer. Loads of questions, loads of checks. But the social workers are fantastic, I can’t tell you how brilliant they’ve been.’
‘So does that mean you seduced them? Sorry.’ Molly grinned at his look of mock outrage. ‘But you’re the one who told me what you were like.’
‘ Were being the operative word. Past tense. I’ve made a promise to the fostering team.’ Dexter could feel Delphi’s head growing heavy against his shoulder as she nodded off. ‘And to myself too. From now on I’m going to be a reformed character. No moresleeping around, no more high life. This is the new me. I’ve learned how to change nappies. I’ve had a CRB check. I’ve been on training courses in home safety and first aid.’
‘Wow.’
‘I know. I swear, I’m this far from learning how to put together a lentil bake.’
‘You have no idea how impressed I am,’ said Molly. ‘Good for you. Are you having a nanny to help out while you’re at work?’
He shook his head. ‘No. I’ve given up work.’
‘Crikey.’
‘I’ve left London too. Meet your new neighbours.’
‘Are you serious ?’ Her eyes widened. ‘You’re really moving here?’
‘I’m not often serious,’ said Dex. ‘But yes, that’s what we’re doing. You did say the natives are friendly.’
‘Even friendlier when you aren’t just visiting once every few months.’
‘Anyway, seems like a good place to bring up small children.’
Molly nodded. ‘It really is.’
‘And the neighbours don’t seem too weird.’
‘Apart from when they’re dancing around like idiots to Vill—’ she stopped abruptly.
‘It’s OK, I knew it was Village People.’ With his free arm, Dex did the left hand half of the gestures. ‘Call me psychic, but I could just tell.’
‘Now I’m even more embarrassed,’ said Molly.
‘No need. Out and proud. If anyone thinks less of you for liking “YMCA” . . . well, they’re not worth bothering about.’
She dropped a mini curtsy. ‘Anyway, welcome to Briarwood. Both of you. Even though one of you’s unconscious.’
‘Thanks.’ He could feel the tiny puffs of Delphi’s warm breath against his neck. ‘I need to put her in her cot. Actually, the flowersweren’t just a thank you, they were a bribe too. Are you around later this afternoon?’
‘I can be, no problem. What do you need a hand with?’
See? Just like that. No suspicion, no hesitation, just a straightforward offer of help.
Chapter 14
‘So you two have known each other for almost a year.’ The social worker from the local fostering team was making notes as she inspected Gin Cottage. ‘Since Dexter first came to the village.’
‘That’s right.’ Molly nodded; well, it was technically true, even if they’d only met twice. The woman just needed to be reassured that in moving down to Briarwood, Dexter would be among friends; if he needed help with Delphi she would be happy to chip in.
The ballpoint pen hovered over the page. ‘And are you . . . very close?’
Gah, how embarrassing. Molly shook her head violently. ‘Oh God no, nothing like that!’
The social worker smiled. ‘No need to sound so horrified. He’s not that repulsive.’
‘We’re just friends,’ Molly reiterated.
‘I’m giving that side of things a miss.’ Joining in, Dex said firmly, ‘It’s all there in my notes. From now on it’s just going to be me and Delphi.’
Gin Cottage was approved, the social worker left and Molly stayed on to help Dex unpack the rest of his belongings fromthe car. Not the garish yellow Porsche
‘OK, now I’m the one feeling stupid. I’m welling up.’ Quickly wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands, Molly said, ‘This is crazy, but I just feel so proud of you. And Laura would be so . . . happy . Tell me everything that’s been happening. What do you have to do to prove you’re capable? Do they test you on stuff?’
‘Like you wouldn’t believe. I’m a kinship carer. Loads of questions, loads of checks. But the social workers are fantastic, I can’t tell you how brilliant they’ve been.’
‘So does that mean you seduced them? Sorry.’ Molly grinned at his look of mock outrage. ‘But you’re the one who told me what you were like.’
‘ Were being the operative word. Past tense. I’ve made a promise to the fostering team.’ Dexter could feel Delphi’s head growing heavy against his shoulder as she nodded off. ‘And to myself too. From now on I’m going to be a reformed character. No moresleeping around, no more high life. This is the new me. I’ve learned how to change nappies. I’ve had a CRB check. I’ve been on training courses in home safety and first aid.’
‘Wow.’
‘I know. I swear, I’m this far from learning how to put together a lentil bake.’
‘You have no idea how impressed I am,’ said Molly. ‘Good for you. Are you having a nanny to help out while you’re at work?’
He shook his head. ‘No. I’ve given up work.’
‘Crikey.’
‘I’ve left London too. Meet your new neighbours.’
‘Are you serious ?’ Her eyes widened. ‘You’re really moving here?’
‘I’m not often serious,’ said Dex. ‘But yes, that’s what we’re doing. You did say the natives are friendly.’
‘Even friendlier when you aren’t just visiting once every few months.’
‘Anyway, seems like a good place to bring up small children.’
Molly nodded. ‘It really is.’
‘And the neighbours don’t seem too weird.’
‘Apart from when they’re dancing around like idiots to Vill—’ she stopped abruptly.
‘It’s OK, I knew it was Village People.’ With his free arm, Dex did the left hand half of the gestures. ‘Call me psychic, but I could just tell.’
‘Now I’m even more embarrassed,’ said Molly.
‘No need. Out and proud. If anyone thinks less of you for liking “YMCA” . . . well, they’re not worth bothering about.’
She dropped a mini curtsy. ‘Anyway, welcome to Briarwood. Both of you. Even though one of you’s unconscious.’
‘Thanks.’ He could feel the tiny puffs of Delphi’s warm breath against his neck. ‘I need to put her in her cot. Actually, the flowersweren’t just a thank you, they were a bribe too. Are you around later this afternoon?’
‘I can be, no problem. What do you need a hand with?’
See? Just like that. No suspicion, no hesitation, just a straightforward offer of help.
Chapter 14
‘So you two have known each other for almost a year.’ The social worker from the local fostering team was making notes as she inspected Gin Cottage. ‘Since Dexter first came to the village.’
‘That’s right.’ Molly nodded; well, it was technically true, even if they’d only met twice. The woman just needed to be reassured that in moving down to Briarwood, Dexter would be among friends; if he needed help with Delphi she would be happy to chip in.
The ballpoint pen hovered over the page. ‘And are you . . . very close?’
Gah, how embarrassing. Molly shook her head violently. ‘Oh God no, nothing like that!’
The social worker smiled. ‘No need to sound so horrified. He’s not that repulsive.’
‘We’re just friends,’ Molly reiterated.
‘I’m giving that side of things a miss.’ Joining in, Dex said firmly, ‘It’s all there in my notes. From now on it’s just going to be me and Delphi.’
Gin Cottage was approved, the social worker left and Molly stayed on to help Dex unpack the rest of his belongings fromthe car. Not the garish yellow Porsche
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