Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. >The Girl at the Bus Stop by alan14 Copyright(C) 2021 by alan14 Chapter 47 Friday afternoon we were working in the office. I was proof reading the first sections of Poppy -(TM)s book, her writing was good, but her typing was woeful. Lia was working on the small desk by the door, she was making a database of all the buildings and staff the charity would have access to. Lia had spent the week learning how to use the database Jeremy recommended, it was free, and he apologised that it wasn -(TM)t pretty or easy to use, but Lia persisted with the video tutorials and this morning she -(TM)d put together the tables and fields for her first database. We celebrated with cream cakes in the caf(C). I -(TM)d just emailed Poppy -(TM)s work to Lisa when my phone rang, I checked the screen, it was Helen. -Hey brother, I -(TM)ve just had a very interesting chat with Maisie -(TM)s mum. - -Really, how did that come about? - -Well, thanks to Lia I -(TM)m now a volunteer counsellor at the school, I -(TM)ve spoken to Maisie, along with a few other girls, they -(TM)re a pretty unhappy bunch, it -(TM)s so sad, life is so much more intense for these kids than it was for us. - -So, you called Janet in for a meeting about Maisie? - -I did, I might have failed to mention I -(TM)m your sister, and that I -(TM)d spoken to Maisie after a request from Belle. - -How did it go? - -I -(TM)ll tell you everything if you buy me a hot chocolate. - -Ok, I -(TM)ll see you there in a few minutes. - I put the phone down and turned to Lia, -fancy another trip to the caf(C)? - -Did Helen mention hot chocolate? - -She did. - -Then count me in, just let me save this work first. - Helen was waiting in the caf(C), she had a toastie and a hot chocolate, as soon as we arrived, she waved at Kailee who started to make our drinks. -Well, I -(TM)ve had an interesting morning, and I -(TM)m inclined to file a report to social services, but I -(TM)ll speak to Jenny first. - -Aren -(TM)t you legally obliged to file a report if you think there -(TM)s a cause for concern. - -If I was employed by the school I would be, my status is a little unusual, so I -(TM)m not legally obliged. Like I say, I -(TM)m leaning towards it, I need to speak to Jenny, then I -(TM)ll speak to the school head. - Helen was quiet as our drinks arrived, an Americano for me, hot chocolate with extra cream and a piece of millionaires -(TM) shortbread for Lia. I gave Kailee my card to settle the bill. Once it was safe to speak, Helen continued. -Janet isn -(TM)t completely sure, but she -(TM)s afraid Maisie has been drugged and raped on more than one occasion. Janet is also sure she -(TM)s been raped herself. - -Oh fuck... - Lia whispered, -is it just confined to the family? - -She doesn -(TM)t think so, but she has no proof one way or the other. He -(TM)s a very forceful character, what he says goes, he brooks no argument, so Janet just does what he says and keeps her head down. - -Maisie said her mum works, did she say where? - I asked. -She works in the finance office at the big Tesco over in Merton, she had to come see me at lunchtime as she -(TM)s working today. - -Would they manage, if say, Mr Chambers was arrested, - I ask. -Well, they -(TM)d lose their home for a start, - Lia replied. -This is so frustrating, - I sighed, -we -(TM)ll likely make their lives worse by helping them. - Helen finished her toastie and wiped her hands, -I have an idea about that, but I need to speak to Belle first. - -Would that idea involve Maisie moving to York, - Lia smiled. -It might, but Belle would need to speak to Amber, as she -(TM)s the tenant, she may not want lodgers. - -It -(TM)s a neat solution though, and Belle does want to help Maisie, - I agreed. -Is there anything else? Did Janet disclose any other poor behaviour, - Lia asked. -She thinks he sometimes beat Maisie while she was at work. Maisie never said anything, but she -(TM)d act like she was in pain sometimes. - -Oh no, - Lia moaned, -that -(TM)s just awful. Belle saw her topless in the piercing salon, she didn -(TM)t mention bruises. - -I think it was a while ago, - Helen replied, -Maisie is a big girl now, she -(TM)d deck him if he tried it now. - -She -(TM)s a big girl in more ways than one, - Lia told her, -Belle wants to help her have a breast reduction. - -I noticed she wears a baggy jumper to school, I wondered what she was hiding. - -Belle says she -(TM)s a J cup. - -Oh my, - Helen gasped, -the poor girl. She could get a reduction on the NHS, but only if it -(TM)s affecting health. Otherwise, they -(TM)d have to pay, and it -(TM)s usually more expensive than implants. - -Belle said she -(TM)ll pay. - -Did she, Belle -(TM)s a beautiful child, she just wants everyone to be happy. - Helen pulled her phone from her handbag, -Is that a photo of JoJo on your phone case? - Lia laughed. -Ahh yes. She -(TM)s been looking at merchandise ideas, for when she -(TM)s famous, or at least internet famous. She had a couple of phone cases printed as free samples. - -She -(TM)s got ambitions then? - I asked. -Yeah, she -(TM)s been looking at starting an OnlyFans, once she -(TM)s got a lot of photos together. - -Please, do not mention OnlyFans to the girls, - I begged her. -They -(TM)re too young to start one, - Helen replied. -You -(TM)ve met Belle, right. You think that would stop her? - -Yeah, I guess they already know it exists anyway, but knowing someone with a page would arouse her curiosity. I -(TM)ll ask JoJo to keep it a secret. - -They -(TM)re friends with JoJo on all the socials, - Lia replied, -as soon as she promotes it, they -(TM)ll see it. - -Mmm, that -(TM)s true, - I sighed, -well let -(TM)s see what happens, if they mention it, we -(TM)ll have a talk. - Helen waved Kailee over and ordered another hot chocolate, Lia asked for another as well. When Kailee was gone, Helen continued, -you know, I -(TM)m not sure which way Poppy would go with OnlyFans, either she -(TM)d be dead against it because of what she -(TM)s been through... - -Ahh, she has no problem with porn in general, - I replied, -she watches it with Belle, and Belle then tells me far too much about the films and girls they -(TM)ve watched. We thought about stopping them by blocking the Wi-Fi at night, but Katie told us Poppy is using it to share the truth and dangers of the industry. They enjoy watching, sure, but Belle is totally aware it -(TM)s a very fake industry, and a lot of the stuff you see online is not the kind of activities normal people enjoy. - -Ahh, in that case she -(TM)ll love OnlyFans as it puts full control in the hands of the creators. - -She still can -(TM)t start a page until they -(TM)re all over 18, - I said flatly. -Of course, I -(TM)m happy to have that talk, if it -(TM)s needed. - -I think I -(TM)ll be Ok, - I replied. -I -(TM)ll help, - Lia added, -I feel almost like a parent at times, especially with Belle. - -She -(TM)s got so many mums, - Helen laughed as she took the new drinks off Kailee. -I sometimes look at Belle, - Kailee joined in, -and I see the happiest girl in the world, she loves you all so much. It -(TM)s funny though, I know Poppy is her girlfriend, but she does look up to her like a girl looks up to big sister or mother. - -It -(TM)s because of the bond they developed when they lived on the streets, - Lia told her, -I didn -(TM)t manage to build such a close bond with anyone. Although they were my friends, I had trust issues to overcome I think. - -I see that with how fiercely protective Poppy is, when they come in she scans the whole caf(C) for threats before she relaxes. - -I -(TM)ve never noticed that, - Helen replied. -She won -(TM)t be as wary when we -(TM)re with them, - I said, -we still don -(TM)t know where she was held, it must be somewhere around here, because I can -(TM)t imagine she walked far, the state she was in that night. - -Is this the time I -(TM)ve been hearing about, when Poppy was kidnapped? - Kailee asked. -Has Poppy talked about her time to you? - Helen asked. -Oh no, she wouldn -(TM)t be telling me about it, oh no, definitely not. Some of the girls from the school, and the kids from the mixed-sex school, they talk about Poppy sometimes when she -(TM)s not here. - -What do they say? - I asked. -Mostly how amazing she is, to have survived what she survived. Some of the girls are a little afraid of her and Belle, apparently Belle nearly killed someone. - -Well, I wouldn -(TM)t go that far, she knocked a girl that slapped her to the floor is all, - Lia replied. -Ahh, I didn -(TM)t think they -(TM)d let her back in the school if it was something so serious. Anyway, I mention Poppy -(TM)s kidnap because you said it was somewhere close by. - -Do you have any ideas Kailee? - I asked. -Well, yes, you all live in the nice houses, I don -(TM)t suppose you visit Merton much, it -(TM)s not so fancy down there, there -(TM)s a row of derelict houses down by the B&Q, some bad stuff happened there a few weeks back but nobody will talk about what it was. - -Do you know the address? - I asked. -Poulson Street, the terraced houses in the middle, they -(TM)re all boarded up, but one had people living there, they -(TM)re all gone now. - -Thanks Kailee, you -(TM)ve been an amazing help, - I gave her a £20 for the second lot of drinks, -keep the change, I -(TM)ll get someone to look at the houses, - I added as I pulled out my phone and called Jenny. -Hi Alex, what are you up to? - -I -(TM)m in the caf(C) with Helen and Lia, are you busy? - -I -(TM)ve got a meeting with the super in an hour, do you need something? - -Could you pop over here for a quick coffee, Kailee, the waitress, has just told us something very interesting. How well do you know Merton? - -Not terribly well, I -(TM)ve been to the B&Q a few times when I was decorating the flat. - -Perfect, you know it better than us, any chance you could speak to Kailee? - -Does this concern an ongoing investigation? - -Not really, Poppy never made an official complaint. - -I -(TM)ll be there in 10 minutes. - I put my phone down, -she -(TM)s on the way, - I told Helen and Lia. -Ahh, I -(TM)ll make the call I was going to make earlier while we wait, - Helen replied as she opened her contacts, -Hi, - she said as they answered, -Helen Harrison here, is Dr Black in? He is, could I speak to him for a moment. - She held the phone away from her head, grimacing at the awful hold music, -you -(TM)d think for the money these people charge they could get a better phone system with some decent music, - she whispered, -ahh, Dr Black, Helen Harrison here ... oh no, everything -(TM)s fine with me, I -(TM)m just making a general enquiry on behalf of one of my nieces ... I -(TM)m wondering if you can answer a general question about breast reduction ... my niece has a friend, she -(TM)s the same age, 14, and she has very large breasts, she -(TM)s, what did you say Lia... - -She -(TM)s a 30J, Belle says... - -Did you hear that? Yes, she -(TM)s a 30J ... height did you say, mmm, 5 foot 3 inches, about 160 centimetres ... yes, she -(TM)s 14 ... there isn -(TM)t an urgent medical need to perform a reduction, but they are causing her problems... - She listened for a while, then thanked the doctor. -OK, he -(TM)s reluctant to perform the surgery on someone so young unless there -(TM)s a dire medical need, and in that case, he says, he -(TM)ll do it on the NHS anyway. The problem with surgery like this is there are enormous complications if it -(TM)s carried out before Maisie has stopped growing, not just her boobs, she needs to have seen no change in height, breast and shoe size for a year, and her weight needs to be stable as well. - -So that -(TM)s a no then, - Lia sighed. -It really looks like it. We -(TM)ll keep this quiet, and I -(TM)ll speak to Maisie and Belle together next week. - We were the only customers in the caf(C) when Jenny arrived, so we asked Kailee to sit with us after she -(TM)d brought Jenny -(TM)s coffee. -So, what -(TM)s this about? - Jenny asked as she blew on her hot coffee. -We got onto the subject of Poppy -(TM)s attack and Kailee has heard talk about an incident at a row of derelict houses near B&Q in Merton. - I told her. -Poulson Street, - Kailee added, -the middle house, they -(TM)re all boarded up, but it -(TM)s the middle one that people talk about. - -What do people say happened? - Jenny asked her calmly. -You won -(TM)t tell anyone I said this? - -Absolutely not, I just want to know what happened at that house and how it relates to Poppy. - -They say a couple of girls were taken in there, and about 10 men and they did horrible things for days. I don -(TM)t live near there, but I -(TM)ve heard people say there was a lot of screaming. - -Did people see anyone leave? - -There were comings and goings, I don -(TM)t know what else happened, just the screams and the men is enough to knock me sick just thinking about it. - -Thank you Kailee, I -(TM)ll report this back and we -(TM)ll investigate. - -You won -(TM)t mention me, because these people are bad... - -Oh, believe me honey, I know just how bad these people are, but I know some people who are much more terrifying. I -(TM)ll keep your name out of it anyway, I -(TM)ll just tell my bosses I -(TM)ve heard a rumour, they know me, they trust what I tell them. - -Thank you for listening to me, - Kailee said quickly, as she left the table to go and serve a new customer. -So, what are you going to do now? - I asked. -I -(TM)m going to borrow an unmarked car and drive past the house, to get a feel, then I -(TM)m going to speak to my boss, we -(TM)ll need to do a full forensic sweep. - -They don -(TM)t know the full story, about Poppy -(TM)s kidnap, how will you bring it up? - -Kailee said two girls, - Lia broke in, -where -(TM)s the second girl, Poppy never mentioned her, she might still be in the house, so you say you -(TM)ve heard talk of another dead girl. - -Yeah, I was thinking that, - Jenny replied, -Poppy -(TM)s DNA will be all over the house, but I don -(TM)t think she -(TM)s ever been arrested, so we don -(TM)t have a record of her prints or DNA, we may not need to bring her into the investigation. I -(TM)ll double check when I get back to the station. - We were just finishing our drinks a few minutes after Jenny had left when Poppy and her sisters entered. -Hey dad! - Belle called from the door, -I think we just saw Mum running up the road. - -Probably, she -(TM)s just been in, come and sit down, we -(TM)ve a lot to tell you all. - They brought their drinks over and Lia pulled a second table next to ours, so we all fit. -You look serious Dad, what -(TM)s up? - Katie asked as she pulled her seat close to Lia. -Have you remembered anything about those few days, Poppy? Anything you -(TM)ve not told us yet? - I asked. -Like what? I think I -(TM)ve told you everything I can remember? - -Was there another girl there? - Helen asked quietly. Poppy put her drink down and closed her eyes, Belle and Helen each held a hand as she thought back to a few days she desperately wanted to forget. -Misha, - Poppy whispered, -Misha was there. - -Who -(TM)s Misha? - Belle asked, -I don -(TM)t think I remember her. - -You won -(TM)t know her, - Poppy replied, eyes still closed as she dredged up the memories, -she -(TM)s a street walker, works the area around Kings Cross. She -(TM)s hooked on crystal meth and she was in a very bad way when they snatched us both. - -How old is she? - Helen asked. -I don -(TM)t know, she looks so rough, maybe 15, maybe 20, I -(TM)ve no idea, sorry. We didn -(TM)t speak because she didn -(TM)t really understand much English, I think she -(TM)s from Estonia, all the girls I -(TM)ve seen from there are so pretty. - -Do you know what happened to her? - -I -(TM)m so sorry, Helen, I -(TM)ve no idea, I ran away as soon as I got chance. - -That -(TM)s OK, nobody would expect you to do anything else when you -(TM)re fighting for your life. Let -(TM)s move away from Misha for now. Do you have any idea yet where you were held? - -I -(TM)m really sorry, we were thrown in a van, it was night, we were so scared. - -Has anyone got an iPad with them? - I asked. -I -(TM)ve got mine, - Belle answered brightly. -Can I borrow it, please. - -Of course, - she replied, and gave me her pink cased iPad, now emblazoned with Disney stickers and unicorns. I opened it and found Poulson Street on Google maps, I changed it to Street View and turned it to face Poppy. -Does this look familiar? - -No, I -(TM)m sorry, but it was dark, and I ran out the back door. - I took it back and scrolled around until I got to the alley behind the houses. -Oh fuck, - Poppy cried, -let me scroll around a bit, - she asked as she took the iPad from me. -Yes, I remember this now, where is it? - -It -(TM)s in Merton, near the B&Q, - Lia replied, -see that big building in the background? That -(TM)s part of the business park, do you remember walking past it? - -I think I do, - Poppy answered slowly, -so how far did I walk? - I checked Google Maps on my phone, -the shortest route is almost two miles, - I said, -but it -(TM)s unlikely you took that route by chance. - -It doesn -(TM)t really make much difference the route you took, - Belle said quietly as she took Belle -(TM)s hand back, -it matters that you were somehow strong enough to walk at least two miles after such appalling treatment. You -(TM)re amazing, Poppy. You survived and you came to find me once you were safe. - -I needed you Belle, you mended my heart. - -Jenny -(TM)s going to borrow a car to check out the street, - Lia said, -should we tell her it -(TM)s definitely the right place? - -Good idea, - I replied, -I -(TM)ll call her now. - I got Jenny -(TM)s voicemail, so I left her a quick message, she called me straight back, -sorry, I was on a call with my boss. - -Well, the good news, if you can call it that, is that it -(TM)s almost definitely the right place. - -Oh, you -(TM)ve spoken to Poppy? - -She -(TM)s here, they all arrived a couple of minutes after you left. - -Would she like to have a drive round there, or would it be too much for her? - -Jenny wants to know if you want to drive round there with her, - I asked Poppy. -Only if Belle can come... - she answered. -She -(TM)ll come if Belle can come. - I told Jenny. -That -(TM)s fine, I -(TM)ll pick them up from the road in about 10 minutes. - -There -(TM)s one more thing, - I said before she could cut the call. -What -(TM)s that? - -The other girl was called Misha, Poppy thinks she -(TM)s Estonian, we have no more information. - -OK, I -(TM)ll make sure the CSI guys are aware there may be another body. - -We -(TM)re not going in are we? - Poppy asked while Jenny was still on the line. -Absolutely not, - she replied as I put the phone on speaker, -we -(TM)re just going to drive past, then maybe drive back the route you walked, if you can remember it. - -OK, but there -(TM)s no way I -(TM)m going back in there. - -I would never ask you to, I -(TM)ll do whatever I can to keep your name out of it. Ahh, on that note, you were never arrested, were you? - -No, I -(TM)ve never been arrested, or fingerprinted, why? - -We -(TM)ll do a full sweep of the house when the CSI move in, there -(TM)ll be a lot of your DNA in there. - -Ahh yes, I was in for a few days, - she whispered, -there -(TM)ll be wee and poo, and probably blood, I was a real mess, I -(TM)m so sorry about what you -(TM)ll see in there. - -And none of what I see will be your fault Poppy, remember that always, none of what happened to you was your fault. - -I guess, but this is twice I -(TM)ve left someone to die... - Helen turned Poppy -(TM)s face to hers, -listen to me Poppy, would there have been any realistic chance of you helping on either occasion? Would you have survived if you -(TM)d intervened? - -No, but... - -But nothing Poppy, you -(TM)d be dead, so would the other girls, and you wouldn -(TM)t be here now starting a charity to help girls who -(TM)ve been forgotten by everyone else. - -I guess, but I still feel bad. - -And that -(TM)s understandable, just don -(TM)t think you did the wrong thing, because staying and fighting would have been a huge mistake. - -OK, I -(TM)ve got the keys, - Jenny said, -I -(TM)ll be there in a few minutes, blue BMW. - The call was cut, Poppy stood and kissed Helen, -thank you, Helen, you always know the right things to say. - -But for the grace of god, I -(TM)d have been in your place Poppy, and I really don -(TM)t think I -(TM)d have survived, - Helen told her sadly. -You never know how you -(TM)ll manage until you -(TM)ve lived through it, - Poppy replied, -you have a lot of inner strength. - -I -(TM)m just glad I never had to find out, - Helen replied as she hugged Poppy, -ohh, Belle, I need a chat later, can you call me when you -(TM)re back home? - -Of course I can. - -Well, this didn -(TM)t really go as planned today, - I said to Lia and Katie as I stared to prepare the evening meal. -What was the plan, - Katie asked. -I planned to work for a couple of hours, then we -(TM)d go down to the garden centre for a look around, then in the evening we -(TM)d chill and watch a couple of movies. - -We can do all that tomorrow, - Katie suggested, -and we could still watch a film, it -(TM)ll take Poppy -(TM)s mind of what -(TM)s just happened. - -We could watch Frozen! - Lia cried, -both Poppy and Belle love that film. - -Or we could say we -(TM)re watching it and just let them both sing the whole movie, - I replied. -It -(TM)s a plan then, - Katie decided, -what are you cooking, it -(TM)s got to be something Poppy likes. - -I -(TM)m going to try to make a lasagne that -(TM)s half as good as Belle -(TM)s. - -Go sit down with a beer or something, Belle showed me how to make the sauce, me and Lia will do it. - Lia looked surprised at this, -I can -(TM)t cook! - -You -(TM)ll never learn if you don -(TM)t try, chop those onions while I make the sauce. - I grabbed a beer from the fridge, poured Katie and Lia a glass of wine and sat down to watch them cook. -What did Helen want to talk to Belle about, - Katie asked as she sweated the onions before she added the meat, stock and herbs. -Helen spoke to Maisie -(TM)s mum today, she also spoke to her cosmetic surgeon, and finally we talked the matter over with Jenny. - -OK, I assume none of this is good news. - -Not really, it -(TM)s a very poor situation. Janet is pretty sure he -(TM)s raped Maisie in the past. Maisie has no clue because he -(TM)s fond of drugging his family. - -So, mum needs to arrest him, - Katie replied angrily. -Sadly, there -(TM)s no evidence, so there -(TM)s not a lot we can do, especially if Maisie has no memory of the events. - -And to add further woes, - Lia joined in, -if he -(TM)s arrested, they lose their home, because it -(TM)s tied to the church. Considering the church covered up his earlier abuse, we can assume they -(TM)ll do little or nothing to help them if he -(TM)s arrested. - -Ahh, bollocks, why is this world so awful at times, - Katie cried. -Helen has a plan, she just needs to speak to Belle, - Lia reassured her. -OK, so what about Belle -(TM)s questions about Maisie -(TM)s boob job, you said Helen spoke to her surgeon. - -Yes, that -(TM)s also not good news. Helen -(TM)s surgeon could do it, he says he -(TM)s done a lot of breast reductions, but... - -But not for someone so young, - Katie replied. -Yes, they -(TM)re not advisable for someone who is still growing. Helen said she can -(TM)t have grown in height, shoe size or cup size for 12 months, otherwise there could be serious complications. - -But when she stops growing, breast reductions are a thing? - Katie asked. -Yes, - Lia replied, -I -(TM)ve been reading about them this afternoon, as big as Maisie is, she -(TM)s not unusual. I saw a story about a girl who was a J cup at 12, and M cup by the time she was 18. - -Oh my god, the poor girl, how did she cope? - -I don -(TM)t know, it must be awful, can you even imagine how heavy they must be. - Katie was shaking her head, -how can she even breath if she sleeps on her back. What we need to do is take Maisie shopping tomorrow, go to that shop again and buy her some good bras with nice wide padded straps. The least we can do is make sure she -(TM)s comfortable. - Katie was sliding the lasagne trays into the oven as the front door opened and Jenny led Poppy and Belle into the kitchen. -Are you OK, - Katie asked. Poppy silently walked across the kitchen, climbed on my lap and wrapping her arms around me as she started to cry. -That -(TM)s the right house, - Jenny said quietly, -It -(TM)s all boarded up but the steel panel over the front door is loose, you can easily walk right in. We drove back following turns Poppy thinks she made; the poor girl walked nearly 5 miles. - I ran my fingers through Poppy -(TM)s hair as her tears ran silently down my shirt. -So what do we do now? - I asked. -I -(TM)m going to take the car back and fill out the forms to get a full search organised tomorrow. - -What time will you be home, mum? - Katie asked. -Oh, I don -(TM)t know, a couple of hours maybe. - -We -(TM)ve made lasagne, for Poppy... - Poppy lifted her head a little, -lasagne? - she asked, wiping her nose on her sleeve, -is there garlic bread? - -There will be. - -Save me some, - Jenny asked as she kissed Poppy -(TM)s forehead, -I -(TM)ll warm it up when I get home. - Lia started slicing a French stick, -ohh Belle, I nearly forgot, can you call Helen. - -It -(TM)s about Maisie, - Katie added. -Oh, great. I -(TM)ll facetime her on my iPad. - Belle pulled her iPad from her bag, set it up on the table and she -(TM)s soon connected to Helen. -Hi Belle, how did the road trip work out? - -Ahh, it -(TM)s the house, Poppy -(TM)s all sad now, she -(TM)s sat on dad -(TM)s knee, having a cuddle. - -Well, that should perk her up. - -Not as much as hearing we -(TM)re having lasagne for tea did, - Poppy called out. -Hahaha, well, that works too, - Helen replied, -anyway, I had a chat with Maisie -(TM)s mum today. - -Ohh, how did that happen? - -Now I -(TM)m a counsellor I used my newfound power to call her into school for a welfare check. - -You can do that? Could you call Alex and Jenny in? - -Yep. So, it -(TM)s not good news I -(TM)m afraid, and I really think we need to report her father. - -Oh no, I -(TM)m not sure I want to know what -(TM)s being going on. - -To be fair, nobody really knows the extent of what -(TM)s been going on, well, except her dad obviously. He used a lot of drugs on them both. - -Oh man, this is horrible. - -Yep, I agree. So, we have a dilemma, Belle, if we report her dad, get him arrested and he loses his job at the church, they -(TM)ll be homeless, as the house belongs to the church. - Belle got up from the table and walked around the kitchen to gather her thoughts, -can you still hear me from over here? - -Yes Belle, I can hear you fine. - -So, if we ignore this, and we believe Maisie when she says she -(TM)s actually safe, because she -(TM)s too old for him or whatever. - She wandered across to the counter and picked up the garlic butter, -mmm, add a little parsley, she likes it like that, - she told Lia, -could I have a can of coke please. - Katie passed Lia a sprig of parsley and a can of coke to Belle. -What do I do with this? - Lia asked. -Oh sorry, pass me a sharp knife please, - she started to finely chop the parsley, -can you still hear me, Helen? - -Yes, I can hear you OK. - -So, Maisie will be fine, but paedos can -(TM)t be cured, he -(TM)ll be doing his vile shit to some other poor girl, probably someone in the church who really believes he -(TM)s doing god -(TM)s work by raping their kids. - -That -(TM)s what I was thinking, - Helen replied. -So, either way, he needs to be stopped, and that will leave Maisie and Janet homeless. - -That -(TM)s the dilemma, Belle. - She finished chopping the parsley and passed the chopping board to Lia, -just tip it in the butter and swirl it around. - Belle picked up her can and started to pace across the room for a moment, -ahh, bollocks Helen, what are we going to do? - she asked as she took a long pull of her coke. -Whoops, pardon me, - she apologised after a long burp, -I drank that too fast I think, - she giggled, -ok, so, we know Maisie -(TM)s moved around, so it wouldn -(TM)t be too much of a problem for them to move once more. - -But how will the afford to live round here on her mum -(TM)s wages, she only works in a supermarket, - Katie asked. -I -(TM)m thinking of them moving out of London, I need to phone Amber, I -(TM)ll phone you back in a few minutes Helen. - -Before you go, I phoned my surgeon today, he doesn -(TM)t advise performing breast reductions until a person is fully grown, or there can be complications. - -Ahh well, I thought that might be the case. I -(TM)ll take her shopping tomorrow and buy her some really good quality bras, the one she was wearing on Monday was rubbish. - -That will help her a lot. When you -(TM)ve spoken to Amber, tell Jenny I -(TM)m going to report him on Monday. - -Do you have to wait that long? - Belle asked. -I could do it tomorrow, but unless there -(TM)s credible, immediate danger, nothing will be done until Monday anyway, this way we -(TM)ve got a couple of days to prepare Maisie and Janet. - -That -(TM)s true, I -(TM)ll get back to you after I -(TM)ve spoken to Amber and mum. - -Oh shit, why are there so many horrible people, - Belle sighed as she waited for Amber to answer. Amber sounded flustered when she answered the call, -I -(TM)m sorry Belle, I was in the shower. - -I -(TM)ll call back if you need to dry yourself properly. - -Oh no, I can finish drying myself while we chat, as long as there -(TM)s no-one there who shouldn -(TM)t be watching. - -It -(TM)s just me, and, err, dad, and Poppy, and Katie, and Lia, but no-one else. They -(TM)re not watching though. - -I -(TM)ve not met the others yet, where are they? - Lia and Katie moved across the room and stood either side of Belle, -Hey Amber, - they cried in unison, -Belle -(TM)s told us so much about you, - Katie added. -All good I hope, - Amber laughed. -Oh yes, all good. - -Where -(TM)s Poppy, she -(TM)s the one I want to meet most. Poppy sounds like a proper superhero. - -I -(TM)m not really fit for video right now, - Poppy replied. -I -(TM)m just wearing a towel and I have no make-up on, how bad can you be? - -I -(TM)ve kind of been crying for half an hour, I -(TM)m better now, but I -(TM)m a bit tear streaked. - -Ahh, we -(TM)ve all had spells like that, I don -(TM)t mind, I bet you -(TM)re still gorgeous. - -I have my doubts, but I -(TM)ll come on over, - Poppy replied as she let go of me and slipped off my lap. Belle ducked out of the way as Poppy slid in front of the iPad. -And there we go, Belle was right, stunning, even with red eyes. - -She was right about you, too. Belle has an eye for pretty girls, - Poppy smiled, -anyway, she -(TM)s got a favour to ask, so I -(TM)ll let her continue. - -OK, - Amber replied as Belle re-joined the call, -I -(TM)m all ears. - -Err, well, where to start. Mmm, I -(TM)ve got this friend, and she -(TM)s being abused at home by her dad. So -(TM)s her mum. We -(TM)re going to report him to the authorities soon. When this happens, they -(TM)ll have to leave home one way or another, because he -(TM)s a priest, and they -(TM)ll lose the house. - -And you want to know if they can come and live here? - -Kind of. It -(TM)s an imposition I know, and I -(TM)ll stop charging rent until Janet -(TM)s got another job. - -You -(TM)ll do no such thing, Belle. In fact, I -(TM)ll carry on paying what I -(TM)m paying, and when they can pay rent, they -(TM)ll pay the same amount. - -Noooo, I can -(TM)t do that. - -Yes you can. I -(TM)m paying half the market rent as it is, this is your house and you -(TM)re entitled to earn something from it. So, I -(TM)m already excited about having guests, tell me about them. - Poppy returned and sat back on my lap, and I tuned Belle out. -Are you OK? - I asked. -Not really, I remembered more stuff when I saw the house. I remembered Misha, I saw her die, dad, I saw it, just like I saw Gemma die, I saw someone kill Misha, and then... - she started crying again, I wrapped my arms around her as Katie brought a towel, - ... and then ... he started raping her again dad ... after she was dead ... he just carried on. It was so horrible ... he knew I was there watching ... and he didn -(TM)t care. I think I fainted, or blacked out or something, because the next thing I remember he -(TM)s gone ... and she -(TM)s just been thrown in a corner ... discarded like litter. - I pulled Poppy closer and held her tightly as she sobbed quietly so she didn -(TM)t disturb Belle. Lia crouched beside us, speaking softly, -we can bring your dinner upstairs if you want to go to bed. - -No, it -(TM)s OK, I -(TM)ll be OK soon. Is there time for me to have a hot chocolate? - -There -(TM)s always time for a hot chocolate, - Lia smiled, -I -(TM)ll make you one now. - As Belle cut the call to Amber she looked up, -was I rude then, ignoring you Poppy. - -Oh gosh no, - she replied, -I didn -(TM)t want to disturb you, but I had to tell dad what I remembered, or I -(TM)d have burst. - -What did you remember, Poppy? - -I don -(TM)t want to tell you because you don -(TM)t need to know. I -(TM)ve told dad because he -(TM)s strong. - -I -(TM)m strong! - Belle insisted. -You are strong, and you -(TM)ve heard a lot of what went on, but there -(TM)s some stuff that you really don -(TM)t want to be giving you nightmares. Believe me Belle, you -(TM)re better off not knowing this. The same for you, Katie and Lia, please don -(TM)t ask me what I -(TM)ve just told dad. - -What about mum, does she know? - Lia asked as she walked over with two mugs. -Not yet, I -(TM)ll tell her later, - Poppy replied as she took her mug while Lia passed the other to Belle. -It -(TM)s OK, Poppy, - I told her, -I -(TM)ll tell Jenny. - -Are you sure? - -Positive, you don -(TM)t have to say that ever again. - -I can -(TM)t forget it though. - -And you shouldn -(TM)t, it sounds like Misha had a bad enough life, without everyone forgetting she existed. - -That -(TM)s right, people need to know about all these girls who get killed and dumped and nobody misses them. - -Add a chapter in the book, - Katie suggested. -Yes! - Belle cried, -we can do that, we could do it after the missing kids photos section. - -We could talk to Dr Polly, - Lia replied. -Who -(TM)s Dr Polly? - Poppy asked. -Oh sorry, I mustn -(TM)t have mentioned her. She works in the mortuary where they -(TM)ve got my dad and brothers. She -(TM)s really nice and bubbly, which is a little odd for a mortuary, but I guess you need to be odd to work there. Anyway, that mortuary covers all the streets around Soho and Leicester Square. - -So, they -(TM)ll get all the street kids. - Belle stated, -she -(TM)ll have all the details about unclaimed bodies. - -Exactly, if she can give facts and figures, and maybe some less gruesome photos... - -That -(TM)s a great idea. - Poppy agreed, -can you get her details and I -(TM)ll see if she -(TM)ll talk to me. - -I -(TM)m certain she will. - After the lasagne, which was excellent, Belle congratulated Katie heartily. We took glasses of wine into the lounge and the girls watched Adventures in Babysitting on Disney+. Not a film I -(TM)d heard of, but it was a fun romp across a very scary looking late-night Chicago, a nice contrast to the squeaky clean Chicago of the John Hughes movies. Jenny came in halfway through with her dinner on a tray, she took a mouthful, -mmm, this is a great lasagne, super tasty, - she looked at the screen and saw a little girl in a Viking helmet standing on a ledge outside a skyscraper, -what on earth are we watching? - -Adventures in Babysitting! - Belle replied, -it -(TM)s great. - -Maybe the parents should have chosen a better babysitter, - Jenny said, shaking her head. -It -(TM)s not a documentary, Mum, - Belle sighed, exasperated, -the babysitter had to drive into the big city to rescue her friends, and the kids insisted on going, and then this gang of car thieves get involved, and a weird tow truck driver, it -(TM)s a lot of fun. - -I -(TM)m sure it is, maybe I joined at the wrong moment. Anyway, it -(TM)s all scheduled for tomorrow, I -(TM)ll need to be there, so I -(TM)m afraid I can -(TM)t come shopping with you all. - Poppy tugged by sleeve and whispered, -tell her about Misha, where they left her, not what happened, save that for later. - -Ahh, Poppy -(TM)s remembered what happened to Misha, no details just yet, but she was killed at the house, and dumped in a corner. - -Of the bedroom, - she whispered to me, -upstairs, on the left of the stairs, some of the steps are a bit dodgy. - I repeated this to Jenny, -tell me again later when I can make notes, get back to your film while I eat my dinner. - Lia took the film off pause and Sara was finally able to move on the ledge. With the film finished Belle filled Jenny in on developments with Maisie. -Amber is looking forward to meeting them, they can move up there whenever they like, and she says there -(TM)s a couple of vacancies at the hotel. - -This is great news, - Jenny replied, -what about a school for Maisie? - -She can go to my old school, - Belle replied, -it -(TM)s a great school, obviously, because look how I turned out. - Jenny laughed, -well, yes, of course it must be a great school. Did Helen say if she was staying in tonight? - -She asked me to call her once I -(TM)ve spoken to you and Amber. - -OK, I -(TM)ll call her back, you stay here and watch another movie, I -(TM)ll take dad with me so you can watch a rom com, you know how much he hates them. - In the office upstairs, Jenny pushed the door shut, -ok, what does Poppy not want the others to hear? - -She saw Misha being killed, whoever did it killed her in front of Poppy, then he just carried on raping the body... - -Oh my god Alex, that -(TM)s just horrific. How do you even cope after seeing something like that? - -She thinks she fainted, or blacked out, because the next thing she remembers is seeing Misha -(TM)s body just dumped in a corner, she said -~discarded like litter -(TM). I -(TM)m not sure she has a timeline in her head yet, but I -(TM)ve got a feeling this is probably when she escaped. If she was unconscious and Misha was dead, the guys probably fell asleep with the intention of finishing Poppy off after they -(TM)d got their strength back. - Jenny had tears in her eyes, -I -(TM)m horrified Alex. I see terrible things every day at work, but the inhumanity of Poppy -(TM)s situation has shocked me. They just threw Misha into a corner, how does someone become so inured to violence that they -(TM)ll just discard a dead body like that. - -Poppy hasn -(TM)t named the man she saw do this, so it might be someone who -(TM)s not been caught yet. - -Can she describe him? - -I haven -(TM)t asked, and I wasn -(TM)t about to press her for any details. - -We -(TM)ll leave it for now, I -(TM)ll phone Helen with an update, why don -(TM)t you go back downstairs and see how they -(TM)re doing. - -I -(TM)m sure they -(TM)re fine. - -Alex, Poppy has just told you, not me, not her sisters, but you, some horrific details of what happened to her. Right now you -(TM)re one of only two males she trusts and confides in. She seems strong, but inside she -(TM)s still a frightened girl. Think back to what you told me Kailee said, about her constantly checking if places are safe before she -(TM)ll relax. -Just go and sit with them, you -(TM)ll hate the film they -(TM)re watching, but she -(TM)ll appreciate you being close. - Jenny had a point, and I -(TM)m a little ashamed I didn -(TM)t think of it myself, so I headed downstairs, stopping in the kitchen first to collect a bottle of scotch and some glasses. Poppy beamed when she saw me, making space on the sofa, -what are we watching? - I asked. -Looking for Alaska, - Belle replied, -it -(TM)s a John Green story, it -(TM)s sad and happy, about some kids at a weird little boarding school in Alabama. It -(TM)s a series, we -(TM)re only on episode one, I can restart it if you like. - -No, it -(TM)s OK, I -(TM)m sure you can fill me in on stuff I -(TM)ve missed. - -This is Alaska, she -(TM)s a bit wild, but isn -(TM)t she so pretty. - -Yes, she -(TM)s pretty, - I agreed. -Is she as pretty as me? - Poppy whispered in my ear. -Don -(TM)t answer that, - Belle cried, -it -(TM)s a trap. - -I know it is, - I laughed, -and no, she -(TM)s not as pretty as you Poppy. - -What about Lia, is she as pretty as Lia? - Poppy asked. -And that -(TM)s the trap set, - Belle laughed, -you -(TM)re dead now. - Lia reached up from the floor and put a hand on my knee, -it -(TM)s OK Alex, you don -(TM)t after answer that, she -(TM)s a model, I know I -(TM)m not as pretty as she is. - -I respectfully have to disagree, - I answered, -I think you -(TM)re all prettier than that girl. She has nice eyes, and a nice smile, but you all look much more alive than she does, and you -(TM)re all very, very pretty. - -Woo, dad found the only right answer, - Belle laughed as she lunged across Poppy and landed in my lap, she gave me a long kiss before she slid over and kissed Poppy. -You -(TM)re the most beautiful girl in the whole world, - Poppy whispered to Belle as they cuddled for the rest of the episode Jenny popped her head into the room a little later, -is it OK to come in, I don -(TM)t want to interrupt your film. - -It -(TM)s OK mum, - Poppy called out, -we can pause it. - -What did you have planned for tomorrow? - Jenny asked as Poppy and Belle made space for her on the sofa. -I was going to message Maisie in the morning and see if she wanted to go shopping, - Belle replied, -I want to buy her some bras like yours that are comfy and hold everything in properly. Maybe then she won -(TM)t feel she needs to wear those awful baggy jumpers all the time. - -That -(TM)s great, were you going to take your dad? - -Well, I -(TM)ve tried going undie shopping with dad, - Poppy broke in, -neither of us had much fun. - -Hahaha, I didn -(TM)t mean take him in the shops, just go into the city with him. It -(TM)s just I -(TM)ve spoken with Janet, and she -(TM)s open to what we -(TM)re suggesting, but she -(TM)d like a face-to-face chat. Now, I can -(TM)t do that, because I have to go into work, and Helen -(TM)s working tomorrow with JoJo. So, what I thought is, you could all go to the shops, then while you take Maisie to try on bras, your dad could talk to Janet. - -That sounds like a plan, - I replied. -Great, because I -(TM)ve already said you -(TM)ll meet her at Covent Garden station at noon. - -No problem, I -(TM)ll take Janet for a coffee while the girls go shopping. Will you need my card again, Lia? - -No dad, - Belle replied, -I already said I -(TM)d buy Maisie -(TM)s underwear. I -(TM)ve got loads of money on my debit card, and if I need more, Poppy has my bank account on her phone. - -That -(TM)s all sorted them, - Jenny said cheerily, -I -(TM)m off to bed, will you be OK tonight Poppy? - -I should be fine, we -(TM)ll have a good cuddle. - -Don -(TM)t be afraid to wake me if you need to talk about anything. - -OK mum, but I -(TM)m sure I -(TM)ll be fine. - -Helen said she -(TM)ll come round to see you tomorrow evening. - -Oh, she doesn -(TM)t need to, - Poppy protested, -she spends too much time sorting out our problems. Dad knows how to help us now, he was really nice before. - -I -(TM)m sure he was, but I think you -(TM)ll be happy to see Helen tomorrow, JoJo is doing her first topless photo shoot with a photographer Helen trusts. - -Oh, if she -(TM)s bringing samples round... - -There -(TM)s the spirit, and don -(TM)t forget, our door is always open to you all, especially tonight. - -Thanks mum, I -(TM)ll be strong tonight, I don -(TM)t want to keep you awake, because you -(TM)re not going to have a fun day tomorrow. - We watched one more episode of the show after Jenny went to bed, then we called it a night. -You know Poppy, - Lia said as I turned off the TV and sound system, -you two could join us tonight if you need a group hug. - Poppy looked at Belle, -do you want a group hug, because I wouldn -(TM)t mind. - -Oh, yes please, but can we use our bed, I like my pillow. - -Of course, - Lia said as she picked Belle up and kissed her, -I wouldn -(TM)t deprive you of your favourite pillow. - -That -(TM)s why you -(TM)re my second favourite sister, - Belle laughed. -Are they OK? - Jenny asked as I slid into bed a few minutes later. -They -(TM)re having a group hug. - -Will we be disturbed do you think? - -I don -(TM)t think so, Lia is taking charge. - -Good, because despite what I -(TM)ve heard tonight, I -(TM)m horny as hell, and I -(TM)m hoping a good fuck will take my mind off things. - And do you know what, it worked, we fell into a deep sleep afterwards and even Belle crawling into the bed didn -(TM)t wake us until she kissed me. -I -(TM)m really sorry dad, - she whispered, -Poppy -(TM)s crying, I think she wants a daddy cuddle. - -What time is it? - I asked sleepily. -I -(TM)ve no idea, sorry. Lia and Katie went to the own bed, and now Poppy doesn -(TM)t need to be strong anymore, can you help? - -Of course, do you want to stay with Jenny? - -No, I -(TM)ll come back with you. - -It -(TM)s OK, - Jenny whispered, -it -(TM)s nearly 5 o -(TM)clock, I -(TM)m going to have to get up soon anyway. I -(TM)ll check on you all before I go. - -If she -(TM)s really bad I -(TM)ll phone Helen at breakfast time. - -Good idea, but I think she -(TM)ll be fine once you -(TM)re there. - With that I slipped out from under the duvet, Belle took my hand, walking me across the landing to their room. -I -(TM)ve brought dad, - she whispered, -you -(TM)re safe now. - -Thank you, - Poppy replied as she lifted the duvet for us to crawl under, -can you cuddle me please. I didn -(TM)t want to upset Lia, she -(TM)s so kind, but she doesn -(TM)t really understand what happened. It was nice having a big cuddle, but I needed your hugs, you hold me properly, dad, I know you -(TM)ll keep me safe. - -Of course, you -(TM)re always safe with me, - I told her, wrapping my arms around her body as Belle crawled around and spooned her sister from behind. I lay awake as Poppy quietly sobbed. Her breathing gradually slowed, and eventually she fell asleep. I listened carefully and once I could hear two quiet snores I relaxed and fell back to sleep myself. We must have slept through Jenny checking on us, only waking when Lia and Katie brought us coffee and bacon sandwiches. -When did dad join you? - -After Jenny left, - Belle replied, a little lie, but like Poppy, she didn -(TM)t want Lia to feel bad, -I fetched him so he wasn -(TM)t all alone, she left really early. - -I heard the front door, it was like 6 o -(TM)clock or something, - Katie said, -who starts work at that time, it -(TM)s insane. - -I guess there -(TM)s a lot of planning to do for the search today, - I replied before taking a bite of the sandwich, -mmm, this is great, so much brown sauce, amazing, thank you. - -So, are you better today, Poppy? - Lia asked. -I -(TM)m much better now, thank you. - -I guess you really needed a cuddle from Alex, but I saw that Jenny also needed a daddy cuddle last night, so I stepped in. - -You saw that? - Poppy asked. -Oh yes, Jenny was definitely horny last night, and she was looking at Alex, or I -(TM)d have swapped places and let Alex stay with you. I hope I did the right thing. - -Oh Lia, you really did, thank you. I did need Alex, but mum needed him more, and at least he got some sex, he wouldn -(TM)t have got any in here last night. - -We could have done it quietly, - Belle laughed, -we wouldn -(TM)t have disturbed you. - Poppy pulled Belle into a hug, laughing, -have you even heard yourself when you -(TM)re having sex? - -No, what do I sound like? - -I -(TM)ll record you next time,you squeak like a little monkey, it -(TM)s so cute, but really not quiet at all. And thank you, I needed that laugh. - -She -(TM)s right you know, - Katie agreed. I slipped out of bed and collected the breakfast things, -I -(TM)ll wash the breakfast things whilst you chat, - I told them. -The curtains are open, - Lia said, -we know what happened last time one of our parents went downstair naked. - -Oh yes, - Katie laughed, -did Mr Newbold mention seeing Lia? - -Hahaha, he asked me who the tall blonde girl is, so I asked him to describe her, he blushed and hasn -(TM)t spoken about it since. - -I think I -(TM)ll get dressed first. - Lia patted my bottom as left the room, -it -(TM)s a shame, you -(TM)ve got a nice body, but we can -(TM)t let the neighbours see you naked, they -(TM)ll get jealous. - I showered and dressed before taking the breakfast things downstairs. The kitchen was messy, Katie and Lia didn -(TM)t follow Belle -(TM)s method of cleaning as they go. It wasn -(TM)t too bad though, and I soon had the place clean and tidy, with a new pot of coffee ready as the girls started to make their way down. Poppy looked amazing, her eyes were clear, she -(TM)d applied a little make-up and her lips were bright red, I -(TM)m assuming this is one of the slutty shades Jenny had borrowed. -Do I look OK? - Poppy asked as she brought a coffee and slipped in next to me at the table. -More than OK, - I told her. -It doesn -(TM)t look like I -(TM)ve been crying for half a day does it? - -Definitely not, you look fine. - -I -(TM)ve been checking trains, - Belle said as she slid in opposite, -I can get to York and back tomorrow, you know, if Maisie -(TM)s mum agrees. I can take them up there, to Amber -(TM)s house. - -Your house, - Poppy corrected her. -I don -(TM)t live there, Amber does, anyway, I can take them to see Amber, if they get on they can stay, then I can run back to the station and be home well before bedtime. - -I don -(TM)t think you should go on your own, - Poppy told her. -I won -(TM)t be going on my own, I -(TM)ll be going with Maisie and Janet. - -OK, I don -(TM)t think you should be coming home on your own. - -I came down on my own last time, - Belle replied, indignantly. -Yes, you did, and I found you behind the bins a couple of days later. - -I -(TM)m older, and smarter, now. - -You are, - I replied, -and I think you -(TM)ll be fine, Poppy worries because she loves you... - -Don -(TM)t you love me? - Belle asked, suddenly distraught. -I love you more than life itself, - I replied quickly, -it -(TM)s just Poppy loves you more than anyone else possibly can. If we let you take Maisie and Janet, you have to call us every step of the way, so we can be waiting at the station for you. - -The station is only 10 minutes away, I can make it the last 10 minutes just fine. - Poppy looked at me, she thought for a long while before she turned back to Belle, -OK, you can take them on your own, but I -(TM)d like you to take smartphone, so you can check train times and maps and stuff. - -That -(TM)s a good idea, - I agreed, knowing that Poppy also wanted Belle to have a phone we could easily track, just in case. -OK, fine, but I -(TM)m not getting rid of my Nokia. - -And I don -(TM)t want you to. It -(TM)s just for tomorrow, so you can find your way around, and check train times, you know, then you can give it back. - -I -(TM)ll dig out my last phone, and get it charged up - I told her, -We can pop your SIM in it tonight, and set it up for you. - -Are we ready? - Katie asked, -we -(TM)ll need to get a move on if you -(TM)re meeting Janet at noon. - Poppy checked her watch, -oh gosh, we really do need to get going. - Janet and Maisie were waiting on Long Acre, outside Covent Garden station. Belle ran up to Maisie and they hugged, -are you ready to do some serious shopping? - -I don -(TM)t have a lot of money, so I can -(TM)t buy much. - -Well, it -(TM)s lucky I -(TM)ve got loads of money then, isn -(TM)t it. We -(TM)re going to get you some properly fitted bras, so you -(TM)ll be more comfortable, then when you -(TM)re older, and you -(TM)ve stopped growing, I -(TM)ll pay for you to have a boob reduction, if you want one of course, it -(TM)s not like I -(TM)ll force you to have one. - -But, why? - -Why what? - -Why are you being so nice to me? - -Because, well, I saw you in class that first day, and you looked so different to everyone else, you were the only girl in there with a personality, an attitude, and I knew then I wanted to be your friend. It took me a little while to work out how to get you to talk to me... - -Chocolates, they worked! - -Yes, chocolates. We spoke, and I saw something in you that made me really want to be your friend. You remind me of Ciara, a girl in my class at my old school, she was my best friend at school. She -(TM)s not gay or anything, but she still liked me even though she knew I -(TM)m gay. - -Mum says you -(TM)re going to let us live in your old house, is that right? - -Yes, that -(TM)s why your mum is having a chat with Alex in a bit. - -So if we move, will I go to your old school? - -Probably, it -(TM)s close to the house. - -If I meet Ciara, will she like me? - -I don -(TM)t see why not, she -(TM)s a very kind girl. - -Are there boys at the school? - -Yes, it -(TM)s a mixed school, is that a problem? - -Oh no, I like boys. I hope you don -(TM)t mind. - -Not at all, you said before you like boys, and I like you as a friend, just because I -(TM)m gay doesn -(TM)t mean I want to date every girl I see, you know. I see you as a friend, don -(TM)t get me wrong, you -(TM)re super pretty Maisie, really, really pretty, and once you get a bit of confidence you -(TM)ll soon have boys attention. Just be careful though, the boys will be interested mainly in your boobs, so pick a boy who can keep eye contact. - -How do you know so much about boys? - -From watching the boys who followed Poppy around, she -(TM)s bisexual, and used to sleep with boys, on the streets, you know... - -Oh yes, does she still? - -Not anymore, just me, - Belle replied, beaming, -anyway, let -(TM)s go shopping, then you can come back to our house to try them on properly. - As we waved the girls off, Belle holding Poppy -(TM)s hand as Maisie stuck close to her on the other side, I walked with Janet to a nearby pub. -I don -(TM)t drink normally, - Janet said as we waited at the bar, -but I think I -(TM)d like a glass of white wine, if that -(TM)s OK? - -You can have champagne if you like. - -Oh no, just a small glass of wine, that will do me for now. - -How about something to eat, they do a very nice pie and mash. - -Maybe later, I -(TM)d like to talk about your plans for my family. - I ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio and a pint of Directors and took them to a table as far from the bar as possible. -Plans for your family sounds a little severe, - I said as Janet took a sip of her wine. -I -(TM)m sorry, I didn -(TM)t mean it like that. I spoke to a lady at Maisie -(TM)s school yesterday... - -Before you go on, I should tell you that the school counsellor is my sister, Helen. - -Is she, I thought she looked a little familiar, she has your eyes. Well, anyway, she was very nice, although the subject matter was a little distressing, we had a good talk, and she made me realise that something has to change. I worry though, because he won -(TM)t take kindly to any mention of divorce. And where would we live? I can -(TM)t afford even a tiny flat on my salary. - -Didn -(TM)t Jenny speak to you about this last night. - -She did, but it seemed too fantastic to believe. - -It -(TM)s true, Belle inherited her parents -(TM) house, we found out a few weeks ago. Amazingly the house is fully paid for, I won -(TM)t go into the details, but it means there was no bank to repossess it for non-payment since Belle -(TM)s parents died two years ago. -At the moment, Belle -(TM)s friend Amber is renting it off Belle, and she -(TM)s been tidying it up with the help of a neighbour. - -If we move, how will we pay Belle? I won -(TM)t have a job? - -Amber can help there as well, she works in a very nice boutique hotel in the city centre, she thinks they have a vacancy in the back office. There -(TM)s a school nearby for Maisie, it -(TM)s a quiet suburban street, I think you -(TM)ll love it. And the most important thing is, David will not know where you are. - Janet sighed, -So we just run away? - -That -(TM)s the plan, and once you -(TM)re out of the way Helen will report him, and Jenny will step in and do the rest. - -I -(TM)d like to divorce him. - -Belle -(TM)s family lawyer will help there, she was absolutely lovely when we met her over Belle -(TM)s mum -(TM)s will. - -It all seems too good to be true. - -In this instance, everything has fallen into place perfectly. - -I think I -(TM)d like something to eat now, is that OK? I don -(TM)t like to impose, but David doesn -(TM)t let me have much spending money. - -Well, I notice you -(TM)ve made a little step, you called him David. - -It seems right to stop with The Reverend nonsense. - -I -(TM)m a little shocked you don -(TM)t have your own money if you -(TM)ve got a full time job. - -The bank account is in his name, - Janet answered quietly, her head down. -I -(TM)m more than happy to pay for lunch, and Belle is more than happy to pay for a new wardrobe for Maisie. - -He -(TM)ll go mad if sees her with new underwear. - -You can stash it at our house tonight, then tomorrow you can sneak out of the house with a few things and Belle will take you to York. - -Belle will take us on her own? - -Yes, she insists, this is all her plan, she wants to do something good that doesn -(TM)t involve Poppy. Belle worships Poppy, she thinks she -(TM)s a goddess, but she sometimes thinks she -(TM)s living in Poppy -(TM)s shadow. This is something she can do for someone that is all her work. - -Belle seems to be mature well beyond her years. - -She had to be, but I won -(TM)t elaborate, she can tell you the story herself. So, she -(TM)s got tickets booked to take you to York, Amber is excited to meet you both, and providing you get on, there -(TM)s no need for you to come back. - -Just like that, everything sorted. - -Well, not exactly, but it -(TM)s the first step on the road to getting your lives back on track. - Over pie and mash, we chatted some more about the girls and their past lives. -So you don -(TM)t have a problem with your daughters having sexual relations under your roof? - Janet asked just as I took a mouthful of mash. After almost choking I took a long drink of my beer as I thought of the best way to answer the question. -Well, - I started, -this will probably all be in the book Poppy is writing, so I think I can tell you. - I ate some more pie while I tried to frame the story in a way that Janet would understand. -When Poppy was on the streets she was somewhat messed up, she was doing sex work and drugs and almost died twice. She found Belle during one of her sober spells, and caring for Belle kept her straight for a while, until the demons got her once more. -We firmly believe that it was Poppy -(TM)s love for Belle, and Belle -(TM)s love for Poppy, that kept Poppy alive at the end, during a few days when she suffered more than anyone should ever have to. - -Maisie told me some of this, the poor girl. It -(TM)s terrible that there -(TM)s so much evil in the world. - -You -(TM)re not wrong there. So, once Poppy was strong enough, we went to find Belle. - -Maisie says that when Poppy first arrived at school she started dating Katie Jackson. - -She was, and it was Katie that saw just how much Poppy needed Belle. - -So, Katie found Belle knowing she -(TM)d lose her girlfriend? - -Exactly. It was while we were looking around for Belle that we found Lia. There was clear chemistry between them, so the next weekend we went back for Lia. - -You and Jenny have adopted them all? - -Not Lia, she -(TM)s 18. The others though, we -(TM)ve adopted them, mostly to ensure they felt safe, and loved, and part of a family. - -Katie already had a family. - -Well, technically yes, but she wasn -(TM)t loved. She stayed in her room most of the time, not for fear of violence or abuse, but because she knew she wasn -(TM)t wanted. Her brother was sent to a private school, she was sent to a state school. Katie -(TM)s mother is a bitter, homophobic, alcoholic. Her father is weak and unable to stand up to Vicky, so he just sat back and let her get away with neglecting her daughter. -All Katie wanted was love, and some acknowledgement that her sexuality isn -(TM)t wrong. - -And you give her that? - -We all do. The girls are free to live their lives any way they wish, within the bounds of the few rules we have at home, and the law, of course. That one took a bit of ironing out. - -In what way? - Janet asked, a little shocked. -Ahh, nothing serious, Belle is a very talented shoplifter, a skill learnt to survive on the streets. It took me a little while to persuade her that she can let those skills slide now. I think she did it mainly to impress me, but still, not something she needs to be doing anymore. - -I think their relationships are against the law. - -Probably, but it -(TM)s not something we touch upon, because they -(TM)re all happy, and more than that, they -(TM)re all a family. Poppy, Lia and Belle have lived in a few communal squats, so they know how important it is to co-operate with your housemates. Being in a big family group is new to Katie, Jenny and I weren -(TM)t part of big families either. So we -(TM)re all learning together. -Household chores, cooking duties, homework, they all sort out amongst themselves. I never have to remind them to do homework, the night Maisie came for tea, she went up with Belle to do their homework without any prompting. - -Everything about your lives is sinful according to David and his church. - -Is David -(TM)s church OK with drugging their pre-teen daughters and raping them? - -Definitely not, they do not tolerate infidelity of any kind. Sexual intercourse is sacred and only to be done between a man and his wife, and only for the purpose of procreation. - -So, David -(TM)s actions with Maisie, and probably yourself, were against his own teachings. - -Well, yes, but like I said, he wasn -(TM)t well, he -(TM)s had treatment... - -The kind of things he did, it -(TM)s not an illness, and it can -(TM)t be cured Janet. He is almost certainly preying on children in his congregation, and he needs to be stopped. - Janet put her knife and fork down and put her head in her hands, -he does, I -(TM)ve been in denial for so long, how can Maisie forgive me for what I let him do? - -Maisie doesn -(TM)t blame you, Janet, she blames him. As I said before, getting out of there is the first step. - -Do we even have to go back? - -Well, no, you don -(TM)t. You can stay at ours tonight. I -(TM)m sure Lia qnd Katie will let you use their bed. - -We can -(TM)t do that, where will they sleep? - I just raised my eyebrows and she smiled, -err, OK, I won -(TM)t ask. But I have no clothes, just what I -(TM)m wearing. - -We can buy you some clothes now, and a suitcase. I -(TM)ll get you some cash as well, to tide you over. - -Oh no, you don -(TM)t need to give me money. - -OK, will you let me lend you some money, you only need to pay me back when you -(TM)re back on your feet. - -What if that -(TM)s a long time off? - -Does it look like I -(TM)m short of money, Janet? - -No, it doesn -(TM)t, and you -(TM)re very kind. You -(TM)re all very kind. - I phoned Poppy as we left the pub, assuming Belle would be busy with Maisie, and let her know that Janet and Masie would be staying with us tonight. -Does that mean Lia and Katie will be sleeping with us? - -Unless they -(TM)re happy sleeping on the floor. - -Oh no, they can -(TM)t do that, it just means we can do what we couldn -(TM)t do last night because I was all depressed. - -As long as you -(TM)re quiet. - -I -(TM)ll gag Belle, - Poppy laughed as she cut the call, I don -(TM)t think she -(TM)s kidding. -All set, - I told Janet, -where do you want to go shopping? - -We can get a few things from a charity shop, I can buy the rest when I -(TM)m earning some money. - -We can have some people collect the rest of your things and have them brought up. - -How will they get in the house? - -A few locks won -(TM)t stop Poppy -(TM)s friends, if you let us know what you want collecting, we can have everything boxed up and delivered in a couple of days. - -Poppy has some useful friends, - Janet replied quietly as she pointed towards a charity shop across the road, -they should have everything I need. I -(TM)m not built like Maisie, so I don -(TM)t need anything special. - The charity shop had everything Janet needed for the next few days, they even had a good quality wheeled suitcase. We slipped into a nearby pharmacist and bought the essentials for them both. -Are you sure you can get our things from the house, - Janet asked as we walked back to the station where we -(TM)d agreed to meet the girls. -Absolutely, we could get the house striped to the floorboards and bare walls if you wanted. - -Oh no, - Janet replied after a moment -(TM)s thought, -just the things from my wardrobe and drawers, and the same for Maisie. She has a favourite teddy bear that she -(TM)ll be desperate to get. - Jenny phoned while we were waiting for the girls in a Starbucks near the station, -hey Alex, how -(TM)s the shopping going? - -I -(TM)ve no idea about Maisie, but we -(TM)ve just filled a suitcase with stuff for Janet, they -(TM)re not going home. - -That -(TM)s great news, I guess they can use Lia and Katie -(TM)s room tonight. - -Already sorted, Poppy -(TM)s fine to go four up in their room tonight. - -I bet she is. - -How -(TM)s the search going? - -Good and bad, good as in this is the definitely the place, it -(TM)s pretty much as Poppy described it to me. There -(TM)s a lot of blood and other stuff, all over the place. - -And bad? - -Misha -(TM)s still there, just like Poppy said, dumped in a corner. I had to go outside to be sick Alex, I -(TM)ve never done that before. I just want to come home and hug my children, it -(TM)s horrible. - -We -(TM)ll be home in an hour or so I reckon. - -Let me know as soon as you -(TM)re back and I -(TM)ll come home. - -Are you still at the house? - -No, the Super sent me back to the station, he -(TM)s not said anything, but he knows I -(TM)m more connected to this place than I -(TM)m willing to let on. - -You -(TM)re not in trouble I hope! - -Oh no, he -(TM)s asked me to meet with him on Monday, but he -(TM)s emphasised he just wants a few things explaining about how I found the house. He knows Poppy -(TM)s background, and I think he -(TM)s put two and two together. - -Will he need to speak to Poppy? - -I don -(TM)t think so, but if he does, I -(TM)ve already logged her as a confidential informant, so he -(TM)ll have to make sure she remains anonymous. - -I -(TM)ll have a word when she returns from the shops. - -Don -(TM)t tell her about what I found, I want to tell her. - -I -(TM)ll not mention anything about what you -(TM)ve said, just about the Superintendent. - -Thanks Alex. Have I ever told you just how much I love you? - -Occasionally. I love you so much Jenny. - -Right back at you honey. Oh, the CSI guys are back, see you in an hour. - I -(TM)d just put my phone down when it rang, I flipped it over and saw Jeremy -(TM)s number, -so sorry Janet, but I need to take this as well, it -(TM)s the guy who -(TM)ll collect your things. - -Hey Alex, sorry to call on the weekend, I -(TM)ve just tried to call Jenny but I just got her voicemail. - -That -(TM)s because she was on the phone to me, we -(TM)ve found the house where they kept Poppy, she -(TM)s had the CSI team in there today. - -Oh, that -(TM)s great, I think, - Jeremy replied, uncertainly. -It -(TM)s good and bad, it -(TM)s given Poppy some closure, but it -(TM)s also opened some pretty deep wounds. - -Is she OK, do you need me to help? - -Not right now Jeremy, she cried a lot yesterday and Helen -(TM)s coming round tonight. Does the name Misha mean anything to you? - -There was a girl by that name, Estonian I think, used to have a patch around Kings Cross, young girl, probably the same age as Poppy, maybe younger. - -She was with Poppy, in the house, she didn -(TM)t leave. Jenny -(TM)s just found her body exactly where Poppy said it would be. - -Oh shit, did Poppy see her die? - -Yes, and she saw what happened afterwards. - -That -(TM)s two girls she -(TM)s seen die, which is two too many for anyone, never mind a kid. - -Why did you need Jenny? - I asked. -Nothing massively important, there -(TM)s a couple of my lads in the cells over there, they got into a fight, I just wanted her to let them know I -(TM)m leaving them there overnight, as a little punishment, they -(TM)ll understand. - -Hahaha, you -(TM)re a hard man Jeremy. - -Got to maintain discipline. - -I -(TM)ll send her a message and ask her to look in on them. Before you go, we need a small favour. - -Anything, just ask. - -Belle -(TM)s got a friend who -(TM)s doing a runner with her mum... - -I -(TM)m listening. - -No muscle needed, we -(TM)re handling the father the proper way, we just need a bit of B+E, to get their stuff out of the house and taken up to Belle -(TM)s house in York. - -Not a problem, well, a small problem, my lock guy is in Jenny -(TM)s cells at the moment, but once he -(TM)s out we -(TM)ll sort it. Send me the address and what needs removing. - -It -(TM)ll be Monday or Tuesday, Helen -(TM)s reporting the father to social services on Monday, Jenny will have him arrested soon afterwards. - -Perfect, but no problem if he -(TM)s in the house, we -(TM)ll work around him, if you know what I mean. What -(TM)s he done? - I whispered to Janet, -can I tell him about David? - -I guess, if he -(TM)s going to help us. - -Sorry about that Jeremy, I just needed to make sure I can tell you. He -(TM)s a priest in some weird US branch of the church, he drugged and raped his daughter before she hit puberty, he -(TM)s probably doing it to someone else -(TM)s kids now. - I held the phone away as Jeremy raged for a while, - ... why are you involving the police? - he asked after he -(TM)d calmed down. -Because Maisie and Janet are outsiders. - -If Jenny gets involved they -(TM)ll have to testify in court, they -(TM)ll be humiliated by his lawyers, especially if it -(TM)s a US church, they -(TM)ll be forced to give all kinds of intimate details. - -Hang on a sec Jeremy, I need to speak to Janet. Can I phone you back? - -No problem. - I put the phone down and leant close to Janet, -in an ideal world, what would you like to happen to David? - Janet cupped her hot chocolate in both hands, she blew across the drink to cool it a little, -I -(TM)d like him to burn in hell, - she whispered before taking a sip. -You understand that the man I just spoke to can handle that, I can never tell you who he is, but he has very strong opinions about people who rape little girls. - -Will he kill him? - Janet asked nervously. -If you want him to, otherwise he could just do him a lot of damage. - -I just want him out of my life. - I phoned Jeremy, -ok, do whatever you like, but it has to be after the weekend, when they -(TM)re out of the way. - -Send me the details, securely. - I called Jenny next, -hey, I -(TM)ve just spoken to Jeremy. - -I noticed a missed call from him, what does he want? - -Two of his guys are in your cells, for fighting. Could you tell them he -(TM)s leaving them there overnight, as a punishment. - -Hahaha, my pleasure. - -Also, he -(TM)s going to handle the David situation. - -Is Janet OK with that? - -I think so. I told him it has to wait until after Janet and Maisie have gone. I imagine he -(TM)ll get the place cleaned out and make it look like a burglary or maybe a fire. - -I hope it -(TM)s a detached house, we don -(TM)t want anyone else involved. - -I -(TM)ll check. - I put the phone back down and looked at Janet, -is your house detached? - -Err, no, it -(TM)s part of the church, an apartment inside the church building, upstairs. - -Does anyone else live in the building? - -Oh no, it -(TM)s an old building, I think it used to be a shop, a large convenience store. The church is where the shop was, we live upstairs in the back, where the shopkeeper lived. - -The building is physically separate from other buildings? - -Oh yes, I see what you mean. Yes, there -(TM)s a yard at the back, an alleyway on one side and parking on the other. - -That -(TM)s great, I -(TM)ll send him the details later. - The door opened and Janet stiffened, -Maisie can -(TM)t know about this, - she hissed. -Absolutely not, the upheaval of a move north will be enough for her to handle. - -She can never know. - -She -(TM)ll never find out from us. - The girls had a bag each, -we got you a few things, - Maisie said brightly as she sat next to Janet. -That -(TM)s nice, but you didn -(TM)t have to, today was shopping for you. - -Yeah, but then Poppy said we -(TM)re never going home, so I thought you -(TM)d need some things. I got you some pyjamas, and some undies, and a nice dress. I guessed you -(TM)re Lia -(TM)s size, because your boobs are so much smaller than mine. Why -(TM)ve I got such huge boobs mum? - -I -(TM)ve no idea, it -(TM)s probably from your father -(TM)s side of the family. - -I -(TM)ve never met any of dad -(TM)s family. - -Neither have I, he -(TM)s never talked about them. Anyway, let -(TM)s not talk about him anymore, shall we get back, Belle -(TM)s mum will be home soon. - -On that note, I just need a quick word with Poppy, - I said as I took Poppy -(TM)s hand, leading her outside. -What -(TM)s the matter dad? - -Jenny thinks her boss has worked out where she -(TM)s getting her information from, and he -(TM)ll probably want to talk to you. - -Is she in trouble! - Poppy cried, -I don -(TM)t want her to get into trouble because of shit that happened to me! - -She says she -(TM)s not in trouble. You -(TM)re listed as her confidential informant, and she says he will have to respect this. All Jenny said is that he -(TM)ll probably want to know some background, to explain how they found the house today. - Poppy relaxed a little, -I can talk to him. I -(TM)ve met him haven -(TM)t I. - -Yes, he was the man who gave you the medal. - -The one who ambushed us and made us talk to the TV people. - I had to smile at this, -yes, he -(TM)s the one. - -I -(TM)ll talk to him, but I -(TM)ll never forgive him for the ambush. - -That -(TM)s all we can expect. - -Can Belle come, I -(TM)ll feel better if she -(TM)s there. - -I don -(TM)t know about that, we -(TM)ll ask. - I turned back to the coffee shop, but Poppy put a hand on my arm, -did she find her? - -Misha? - -Yes, did mum find Misha? - -She asked me not to talk about it, Jenny wants to tell you about it herself. - -Just tell me if she was still in the house, if they left her there! - Poppy almost screamed the last few words. -She was there, exactly where you said she -(TM)d be. - Poppy dropped to her knees on the pavement and started to cry quietly, Belle saw her and ran out to hold her sister. -Jeremy remembers Misha, - I told her quietly, -he was very upset when I told him. - -You -(TM)ve spoken to Jeremy? - -Yes, he -(TM)s going to help with Maisie, he -(TM)ll go in to collect their things and take them up to your house Belle. - -Is that all he -(TM)s doing? - -Probably not, he was horrified when I told him about Maisie. - -Good! - Poppy said as she wiped her eyes, -let him burn in hell. - Belle helped Poppy to her feet, and they went back inside. I was in the middle of sending Jenny a quick message as they all emerged from the coffee shop and started across the street to the station. I finished the message and jogged after them.