Now I know Caleb’s got my back.
Sophia sits opposite us as we take a seat on the couch.
“The kids are all at school right now,” I say.
She nods. “I thought it best that we just sit and have a chat.”
“What were the allegations?” Caleb asks.
Sophia looks down at her notes. “There were some concerns around neglect. You have a lovely home. It helps to see the house.”
Caleb bristles. “Those kids are far from neglected. Emma’s a great Mum.”
“Dad wouldn’t have a clue about my family. We’ve been estranged for years,” I say. “This is vindictive on his part because I wouldn’t do as he demanded.”
Sophia’s eyebrows rise. “What was that?”
“My family was part of a church group. I’m not sure if you’ll have heard of them as they’re down south and keep to themselves. My late husband was a member.”
She nods.
“But he wasn’t exactly honest when he joined. All his assets were supposed to be handed over when he went to live in their community, but he kept them separate. Dad’s first attempt to intimidate us was to try and challenge Malcolm’s will.”
The huff sound she makes tells a story of its own.
“When that failed, he’s moved onto the other thing he threatened me with. Which is this.”
Caleb squeezes my arm. “We knew this was coming. Emma’s father hasn’t even met her younger two children and hasn’t been in any of their lives for the past sixteen years. This is nothing but a malicious act.” Caleb looks at me. “Besides, our plan is that now I’m back in her life that I adopt the other three children, and I understand that means multiple visits from a social worker. If we had anything to hide, we’d hardly be signing up for that, would we?”
I hold my breath a moment, but Sophia smiles.
“I’m sure you understand why we need to investigate each claim. If you are going to adopt these children, Mr Baxter, there will be a social worker visiting to complete a report on each child anyway. Those reports will also help if Emma’s father tries to take this further.”
I breathe a sigh of relief.
Caleb wraps an arm around me and pulls me tight against him.
“If anything, you should be investigating the church her father belongs to. Our concern is that they want their hands on the girls to do to them what they did to Emma.”
Her eyes land on me, so full of sympathy. “I can understand that. I’ll make some enquiries about whether there have been any investigations there or not. The important thing is that you’re keeping your children safe, and that’s all anyone asks for.”
“Thank you,” I murmur.
She rises to her feet. “I think we’re done here. I’ll write this all up back at the office. Get that adoption application in. That’ll get the ball rolling. Give me a call when it’s submitted to the court and I’ll make sure I’m across it.”
Caleb and I stand. He holds out his hand and she shakes it. “Thank you,” he says.
“You’re welcome.”
“Let me show you out.” He takes my hand in his and gives it a squeeze before guiding her to the front door.
When she’s gone, I falter, and Caleb gathers me into his arms and pulls me back to the couch.
“It’s over,” he says softly.
“For now.”
“We’ve got your dad and his group on their radar, and that’s a good thing. You’re such a good mother, Emma—that’s obvious.”
