Page 197 - My Home on the Earth

‘I like it here, Marjorie. I wonder what Dad’s house looks like.’
Rather than shout, she wrote on a pad. ‘You’ll know tomorrow. He’s sending a few photos to us. Are you excited about living in Scotland?’
Munching his beefburger, Jake nodded and carried on enjoying his meal.
He helped put the dishes in the dishwasher and asked if he could play Fortnite on his new Xbox in his bedroom.
Marjorie smiled and picked up her note pad and wrote:
Don’t have to hide away any more. Can play your game in every room later – but have to meet an important lady soon from social services – is coming to talk to you for a while.
‘What about? Will she send me away?
‘Not a chance,’ smiled Marjorie, shaking her head. Scratching the pad she wrote again: If you agree she wants to ask a few questions about you and your mum. Your dad said it was OK. I can sit with you or you can talk alone. If you don’t feel up to answering, she’ll understand. Is your hearing troubling you?
Jake watched her write the words, nodded, and shrugged at her last question. ‘A bit, but the doctor said it will come back. Will you tell the lady not to shout, though? The room kind of vibrates when people talk loudly.’
He went upstairs to his room and lay on his bed. Gazing up at the ceiling he thought about his mum. Dad says everything will work out and I mustn’t worry about her right now. I wonder where she is?
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