Page 183 - My Home on the Earth

Words tumbled from Kay’s lips as though she was narrating a book. Free from malice, she recounted every detail and didn’t hide her fears from Alan.
His unmistakable heartbreak touched Alice when she saw the regret and anguish in his eyes as he listened to Kay. It was a lot to take in. Alice agreed with her daughter and added: ‘It was hard to believe Jake would harm Elise or Emily. The distress caused was overwhelming.’
Alan thanked them for being open and honest and in time would relay their fears to Jake although his son was unaware of the family worries. ‘Jake has a lot to tell me too. I’ve spoken to a social worker at the hospital and he’ll be referred to a specialist in Inverness. No one knows what effect this has had on his mind, especially after his stay at the children’s home. I plan to fly home on Sunday morning, and Jake will be staying here with Stuart and Marjorie. When he is well enough to travel, I’ll return and take him back with me.’
‘The boy needs time to adjust and we have enough space here, away from the crowds and noise,’ stated Stuart.
‘Alice, have you told your grandchildren?’ asked Marjorie.
‘Cara and Elise know Jake had an accident, but I haven’t spoken to Emily. I hope you understand, Alan, that Emily will never recover from what happened to Robin,’ Alice gently said. ‘We did our best not to let her know Melanie was here for fear of raking up the past. Now it’s over, we don’t have to worry any more.’
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