“Well, thanks to your dad’s very generous donation, we’re in the middle of purchasing an old derelict building. All going well, we should hold the title deeds in about six weeks.”
“That’s incredible.”
“It is, and it’s all thanks to you.”
“Nonsense. It’s all to do with hard work.”
“And friends in the right places.”
“What will this building be used for?”
“This will be a home for thirty to forty homeless people. They will all have their own bedroom. I’m so excited about this project. We’ll have a games room, and a meeting place. There’ll be a lounge and a kitchen. We’ll be able to employ permanent staff, including a cook and housekeeper. There will be a member of our organisation there twenty-four-seven to provide advice. This is a huge breakthrough. This will be used as a stepping stone for homeless people. It’s our way to bring them off the streets and help prepare them for moving on to a home of their own. We will provide them with the support we can in making the transition back into normal society.”
“I’m so pleased, and I’d love to help wherever I can. I also have news of my own. I missed last night . . .”
“Ella, we don’t expect you here every night. God, I’m not even out here every night.”
“I know that, but I want to. Anyway, last night I had a meeting with Libby Mathews and Jess Adams.” I stop as we round the corner. “Alex, Libby’s husband, is amazing and, so far, has organised a football game at the end of the session. All profits will be split between your charity and the women’s aid charity Jess does so much work for. Libby is also organising and hosting a charity event at Stewart House. As soon as I have the details, I’ll let you know, because I think someone from the charity should be there.”
“I don’t know what to say except thank you.”
“No thanks needed. Now, can I go and see my boy? I’ve missed him.” A strange look crosses Michelle’s face and we carry on walking. It’s only when we get near Mack and Jack I realise what I’ve said.
“Ella!” Jack calls out my name as I approach them. He stands and rushes towards me, wrapping his small arms around me. “I was worried about you,” he says.
“Hey, you don’t need to worry about me. Do I not look okay to you?”
“You look better than okay, Miss Ella,” Mack says. “Lad, if you don’t let her go, she won’t be able to breathe.”
“Sorry.”
“I’m fine. Let’s sit down.”
“He’s been looking forward to seeing you all day,” Mack says, and I smile. “So have I. These visits of yours, Michelle’s, and the other volunteers are the highlight of my day.”
“I’m glad they are, even though I think you deserve more than a visit from us.”
Mack shakes his head as though not wanting to listen to me any longer.
Michelle and I have a busy night ahead. We left the office early so I could spend a bit more time with Mack and Jack. Some of the others we see aren’t as pleased to see us when we take supplies and food to them.
“Ella, Connor told us last night that he started filming with you yesterday,” says Jack, his voice full of warmth and excitement.
“Yes, he did. Did you ever watch the show?” I ask him.
“Yes, with my mum. She loved it.” I love hearing the happiness in his voice as he speaks about his mum.
“Hopefully you can get to watch it again. It wouldn’t be the same as watching it with your mum, but maybe Michelle could organise something at one of the shelters.” Michelle nods and smiles.
“That would be great, but I’ll see.” And there it is. The trust issue. I hope and pray that I gain his trust eventually.
We spend twenty minutes with Mack and Jack before we leave them.
“Ella, talk to me. What’s wrong?” Michelle asks, her voice full of concern.
“I hate walking away from Jack each night.”
“We all do. The streets are no place for a boy like him. He’s a good kid. It’s a pity his dad isn’t interested in him, because that boy has so much love inside him. Just waiting to give it to right person.”
“Hypothetical question. If someone was to offer him a home, what would the correct procedure be?”
“Ella, you’re getting too involved.”
She’s right and I know it. “Maybe I am, but seriously, how can I not? Please, I’m asking a question.”
“Okay. Well, social services would have to be involved. They would then have to seek out his dad and or any other family members to establish why he isn’t staying with them. Reports would have to done and submitted on his wellbeing. He would then be placed in temporary foster care or a residential children’s home. If he was unhappy about foster care or a home, a request could be made to the panel asking for special permission for him to stay with the person that wants to look after him. This is all hypothetical, and there’s lots of red tape involved, especially as he’s living on the streets. He might not even want to go and stay with you.”
I sigh heavily. “I just want to get him off the streets. It doesn’t have to be with me, but it has to be with a family who will support him and love him, but most of all a family who will let him enjoy his childhood.”
“Ella, the minute social workers are involved, there would be a chance you or I would never see him again. He might run, or he could end up staying somewhere far away.”
“I understand.”
“I hope you do. It’s a huge risk on your part. He’s twelve. Are you ready to be a mother to a moody pre-teen?”
Michelle really has got me sussed. “Is anyone ever ready to be a mum?”
“I don’t suppose they are.”
We carry on with the rest of the night, seeing and helping a few others. I’ve noticed that a few of the regular men aren’t in their usual spots and I question Michelle about it. She tells me she’s managed to find permanent spaces in a few of the hostels spread across the city.
I ask about Mack and she tells me he was offered a space but he refused saying he, ‘wouldn’t leave the young lad.’
Mack’s had a hard life and suffered greatly, losing everything that was important to him. But I see a man with great qualities and sheer determination. To me, this is his way to make amends, to help out. Most importantly, Jack has given him a purpose in life. A life that, after talking to him, I believe he had all but given up on.
Mack cares a lot more than he lets on about the boy he’s taken under his wing. They might both be living on the streets, but he’s looking out for him the only way he knows how.
They’re like family.
Family.
They both deserve to be part of a loving family.
As we make our way back to Michelle’s car, she stops dead in the street. “I knew there was something else I was meant to tell you. The council have refused to rehome Stacey and the girls. The reason behind it is because she’s not on the streets. Can you believe that?”
“No, quite frankly, I can’t. I think I need the name of whoever you deal with in the council. What gives some arse in a suit the right to make decisions that affect a young family? I’m sure he or she is sitting in a nice house, not giving a second thought.”
“Yes, you’ve got a point. But remember when you first met Stacey, she made judgement on you because of your career, so some could say the same about you.”
“They could try. I’m trying to make a difference, not sitting at home every night pretending that there aren’t others who aren’t as fortunate as me.”
“You are making a difference. Every single day.”
I hope so.
If I only change one person’s life, I’d like it to be Jack’s. But I hope I can change the lives of many. Use my status to influence the powers that be and make a difference.
“WHY ARE WE HERE?” CONNOR asks as I park the car in the driveway of Jess’ house. Her car and Fletcher’s are both in the drive. This isn’t really a social call. Jess has the keys to the property tha
t’s up for sale on the right hand side of this small, yet prestige estate.
Their front door opens and Jess walks out carrying Emily in her arms, with Fletcher following. I get out of the car quickly, only to pause and look around. It’s a beautiful estate, and Jess was right. With the gated entrance, there’s plenty of privacy but the added bonus of neighbours. Or in our case, friends.
A family home. I hope.
“Glad you could make it. Does he know yet?’ Jess whispers as I greet her.
“No. Jess, Emily is gorgeous.” I look at her daughter and I can’t help but smile. I know Jess’s story, and seeing her surrounded with her happily-ever-after fills me with so much hope.
Connor and Fletcher are standing at the side, talking, and I’m sure it’s about tomorrow’s game.
“You want to hold her?” Jess asks.
“Yes.” I don’t hesitate, and when Jess places Emily in my arms, my heart melts. Jess reaches into the back pocket of her jeans and holds the key in her hands.
“Fletch, Connor, come on.” My man looks dazed and unsure.
“Where are we going?” he asks Fletcher.
“To see a house. That’s all I know. But I’ll tell you something for nothing, that look in Ella’s eyes when Jess handed her Emily: priceless.”
I switch off. I don’t want to hear either of them talking about me being broody, although looking at this one, it’s hard not to be.
Jess opens the door to the house. I step inside first and gasp. It’s beautiful. The hallway alone has stolen my breath. It’s light and airy, but has a feeling of warmth, and there’s a grand oak staircase before me. It’s stunningly beautiful and I’m already in love. Very neutral, and whoever stayed here before has taken care of it. Emily stirs in my arms and I rock her gently and walk further into the hallway.
Only one set of footsteps follow me and I know they’re Connor’s. I look over my shoulder to see him staring. “I can’t describe how I feel seeing you with a baby in your arms. It’s too much for my emotions to take in. The look on your face right now, I can already see you in this house with our baby in your arms,” he whispers against my skin.
“One step at a time,” I say, and I can hear a soft laugh coming from the front door.
“Ella, I’ll take Emily and you two can go and have a look around.” I reluctantly hand Emily back to her mum. “When you’ve had a look around, come back into ours and you can have cuddles and tea and I can give you all the details. This house has just come onto my books, and as yet, I haven’t put it on the open market.”
“Okay, we’ll see you in a bit.” Fletcher and Jess leave us on our own and I honestly don’t know where to start. This is all overwhelming.
Connor takes my hand and pulls me toward the first door on the right. It’s enormous. It reminds me of my sitting room at the moment with large bay windows overlooking the front of the property. The colours are light and neutral meaning we can put our own stamp on this home. Connor keeps my hand in his and we walk silently around the room, pausing at the windows and looking out.
The next room is at the back of the house, and I presume it could be a dining room, but it could be used for anything. It has patio doors out onto a large decked area, and the garden is definitely big enough for a family to play together or have a big party. Beyond the garden, the landscape is all green. I think there may be a farm, but I’m not sure; I’ll ask Jess.
Next up for me is the heart of any home, and as I enter, I pull my hand from Connor’s and walk in. I love the size of it and the layout; everything is so practical. This is a homely kitchen. It reminds me of my dad’s kitchen, the one my mum could always be found in. There’s a stunning archway that leads to either a dining area or a comfortable family area. Then there’s a conservatory off of that. There’s just so much space.
I sense Connor hasn’t entered. I look over my shoulder and he’s leaning against the doorway. “What?”
“I don’t need to see any more of the house. Your reaction has sold it for me. If you decide this is the house you want, then it’s ours.”
I step toward him. “This was meant to be a joint decision.”
“It is. If you’re happy, I’m happy. This is a family house. A home that will fill as our family grows in numbers.” He wraps his arms around my waist, smiling, pulling my body tight against his, leaving no space between us. He presses his lips to mine in the gentlest of sweet kisses.
“We should go and see the rest of the house,” I whisper breathlessly against his lips.
He grabs my hand and we wander through the rest of the house. Downstairs, there’s another room at the front, which could be used as an office, and a utility room with a toilet.
Upstairs on the first floor, there are four bedrooms, two of which are en-suite, and a family bathroom. On the second floor, we both stop and gasp. The whole floor is one big bedroom, with windows overlooking both the back and front of the property.
“This is home. This is us,” I say, turning to face Connor.
“It is. But are you sure about these new neighbours of ours?”
“Hey, you. Our new neighbours are our friends. And you, Connor Andrews, will need to learn to play nice.”
“I’m sure I can manage that. Let’s go and speak to Jess and get the details for this and find out when we can move in.”
“Really?” The excitement in my voice is undeniable.
“Yes. You’re right. It feels like home. Our home.”
With his words ringing loudly in my head, we leave our home for the time being and make our way back to Jess and Fletcher’s. Jess meets us in the hallway. “Well, I’m dying to hear what you think.”
I look at Connor and wait for him to speak. “I think you need to give me all the details, including a moving in date.”
“Really? You both love it? I’m so happy.” Jess squeezes my arms before pulling me toward her kitchen. Connor is laughing as he follows us.
Fletcher is walking around the kitchen with his daughter in his arms. My thoughts drift to my conversation with Michelle about being a parent. I have a vision in my head of Connor with a baby in his arms, with Jack alongside him, smiling and laughing.
I need to give myself a shake because this is only something I would do with Connor’s backing, and although we’ve spoken, we haven’t come to any decisions. Yet.
“Fletch, can you make tea while I go over a few details with Connor?”
“Jess, I’m a bit busy.”
I walk toward Fletcher. “I can take Emily, or you can show me where everything is and I’ll make tea.”
“I already like having you as neighbours,” he jokes, handing me his precious daughter. “Jess, we will have babysitters on tap.” I shake my head, but I’d be more than happy to look after her any time. With Emily in my arms, I sit down beside Connor and listen as Jess tells him every detail she can think of regarding the house. Jess tells us that a moving in date would be up to us and how quickly we want to take things. Connor tells her that once his lawyer puts in an offer, which he’ll instruct him to do straight away, there will be nothing to hold us up.
“There might be a hold up,” I say. “My house. I haven’t decided what to do with it yet.”
“Ella, what you decide to do with the house will have no bearing on us buying this home.” I hear the steadiness in Connor’s tone. Jess’s eyes dart between me and Connor and she’s smiling. She knows this house is already off the market.
As Fletcher brings over cups of tea and joins us, talk turns to the event Libby is organising at the hotel. They are both as excited about it as I am. Libby and Alex have done brilliantly with this. I’m sure it will be a great night.
Talk turns to the charity football game at the end of the season. I’ve spoken to Connor briefly about it, but as I listen to the two men, I can hear the excitement in their voices. They sound like two small boys. It dawns on me that this football match is going to be much bigger than I anticipated
Connor slips his arm around t
he back of the chair, his fingers circling lightly against my bare arm. “You know,” he whispers, “you’re going to have to hand her back. I have all these visions in my head and each one I love more than the last.”
“Visions?”
“Okay. I was wrong,” Fletcher says, his voice teasing, turning his attention to Connor. “It’s not Ella that’s broody, it’s you. And I don’t blame you. When I saw Jess with my sister’s baby in her arms for the first time, it knocked me for six. The emotions were so overwhelming. Then when Emily was born, seeing Jess holding her the first time, my world was complete.”
I blush, because I feel as though I’m on display. “Enough,” Jess scolds her husband. “Ella has more than enough going on in her life at the moment, and I believe she’s as old fashioned as you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you believed in marriage first before anything or anyone else came along.” As Jess says it, the circular motions that were comforting stop. I daren’t look at him because I’m scared of what I’ll see.
“I might have been a bit of a rogue, but, yes, I had and still have old fashioned values. So, God help any boyfriends of Emily’s in the very distant future. They won’t stand a chance with me.”
We all laugh and my mood lifts. Our laughing startles Emily, who cries in my arms. “Time to hand her back.” I stand and walk around the table, and it’s Fletcher who reaches out for his daughter.
I watch him with her and he seems like such a doting, hands-on dad.
Dad.
My mind has turned to Jack again. I’ll need to talk to Connor, because I need to know if there’s a possibility of us helping him. Of him being part of our future. I know Michelle said that this is something I need to think about, but I don’t want to just think. If I waste too much time, it might all be too late.
“Ella, are you okay?” Jess asks, as I stand staring into space.
“Yes. Sorry. I was just thinking about Jack.”
“Who is Jack? You not satisfied with one man, you have to have two?” says Fletcher, his voice laced with humour.
Scripted Love (The Scripted Series Book 2) Page 16