“I know he is. And I’m not. This is not our first rodeo.”
“We’ve dealt with worse boys than Butcher. We’ve also had the strength to cut our losses and admit defeat, which we know has been the correct decision. I’m still in contact with Aberton. He’s doing really well, and we text weekly, you know this and I know this. Aberton knows now that this place was completely wrong for him. What is the right decision for one child is not the right one for another. Butcher needs parents and a family. He can’t tell us that, but the way he behaves is exactly that. Telling. And concerning.”
“I agree.”
“You’re a single man. A great man. You take on all these kids, but you can’t save them all. We have discussed this before. If we feel one of them is a risk, or too much for us to handle? We agreed to bring it to the board and cut our losses.”
“I don’t want to give up on him.”
“I know that. I can see it because I have known you for a very long time, Riley.”
“Don’t be a dick, Emma.”
“Not being a dick. Just saying the obvious.”
“I’m not going to send him back. I’m not giving up.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
“It feels like you are.”
“Then perhaps you should ring Aberdeen. Ask the right questions.”
“I’m ringing. First thing Monday.”
“No, Riley. Ask the right questions.”
“Not following.” I wasn’t and this was very Emma. Assuming I knew where her mind was going, when most of the time I didn’t.
“You should take him. Go be a dad, Riley. He adores you. You could do it.”
“I can’t! What are you talking about? I can’t do that; it would be professionally wrong, and the board would have me…”
“Oh get off it, Fox. He’s a kid. You’re a middle-aged bloke living here alone, and you need a family too.”
“Says the single childless woman to my face.”
“By choice. I don’t hide the fact that I don’t want kids, and that I definitely don’t want a man.”
“I know,” I growled. Bloody Emma Blessing and her bloody ideas.
“I’m nothing like you,” she said, keeping her voice low. “I don’t want what you want. And don’t try to deny it. We can’t just sit here and grow old and let life pass us by.”
“You do?” I might have sounded mean, but Emma was right. We did not want the same things in life, and that was fine.
“And you have a man in your bed. Don’t deny that either. Jones checks the cameras every morning, and he didn’t hold back on that little snippet of information over breakfast. Did you at least have him checked out?”
“Did I ask my date for his criminal records checks, his passport and a clean bill of health?” I snarled. Now I was angry. Fucking hell.
“Do you even know him?”
“Emma!” I barked.
“Well, you didn’t tell me you were having someone over. I mean, I can have your back if I know stuff, but having Jones throw this in my face at seven on a Saturday morning? Fox, give me some credit here.”
“I’ve known him for a while; he’s a good friend. Even Butcher has met him.”
“Oh God, Fox, you’re not helping yourself here.”
