Page 164 - My Home on the Earth

attractive family, he thought. The two men spoke at length about the Sorrenbridge redundancies and the Inverness branch, and then Stuart asked him how he could be of help. Alan gave him Jake’s letter.
‘I don’t understand. This is from your son?’ gasped Stuart.
Alan nodded. ‘Yes, I’ve come here to find him and take him home with me to Scotland. You seem worried. Is there something wrong?’
‘Yes, a great deal. I haven’t met your son, but I know where he is. He was abandoned on my land and takes shelter in a cabin. I believe a woman found him wandering in the streets, but I have no evidence to prove it. Let me explain. Our foundation was set up to help educate and home young people like your son. My wife is involved with feeding and clothing homeless people, including younger ones. In January, I was ‘‘on duty’’ watching and listening to our regulars outside the train station when a woman walked past me, struggling with a heavy suitcase. She was looking for the bus to Bay Park and I gave her a hand with the case. A few days later she stopped me outside a café for the homeless. I’d been talking to a group who were arguing inside about safe places to stay. The woman came in, ordered a tea and followed me outside. She asked a question concerning my conversation inside the café. I didn’t take much notice and she went back inside. Dressed as I was, I think she thought I was homeless. A few days later, I was given a message from my security officer, Kate, saying someone was using the cabin on my property.’
158