Student Affairs

Chapter Two

Chapter Two“More tea?” Ann lifted the teapot off the tray with expectation and without waiting for a reply, poured the steaming brown liquid into three delicate china cups.

She offered around a plate of luxury cookies, brought especially to impress their visitor.

Her husband Jon took two off the plate, then proceeded to spoon three sugars into his brew.

“Not for me thanks,” Rose the social worker lifted her hand but looked longingly at the biscuits, “I really shouldn't. I'm trying to diet after an all-inclusive two-week summer binge.”

Ann glanced at the petite lady opposite and wondered why she was worried about her weight when there was so much horror and injustice going on in the world. Eating a cookie seemed insignificant in comparison.

“Have you holidayed this year?” Rose asked cheerfully.

“Paris,” Ann confirmed, “for the fourth time. We love it there, don't we?”

She nudged Jon who was wiping crumbs from his lips.

“Paris is great,” he responded with vigour, “so much beauty and history and just a hop over the sea.”

“Ah, I'm ashamed to admit I've never been,” the social worker leant forward and added in an excited tone, “but I've enrolled for a beginner's French class. You've inspired me Ann, all this talk of goals and achievement and I've always wanted to learn another language.”

“That's fabulous!” Ann cried, “French is such a beautiful language; tres bon Madame.”

Rose laughed heartily and stretched out a trouser clad thigh, “and how are your studies going?”

Ann sipped at her drink, “very well thank you. The second year will soon be starting and I have to admit, I'm looking forward to it.”

Rose frowned, “it must be challenging for you?…” the question trailed off and the room grew silent, “sorry, that was insensitive of me,” Rose looked away with embarrassment.

“You mean because of this?” Ann pointed to her wheelchair, on which she was seated, “not at all, the university have been very accommodating towards me and I can happily confirm there is full wheelchair access throughout. It's more about using this,” she pointed at her head, “which is more of a challenge”.

“You're a remarkable lady,” Rose replied with warm sincerity, “brave and inspirational.”

Not one for accepting compliments easily, Ann blushed, “I've had to be,” she stated gruffly, “it's either wallow in self-pity or make the most of what life has dealt me.”

“Thanks be to God,” Rose lifted her eyes towards the ceiling and clutched at her glinting gold cross.

“I don't believe in…”

“So,” Jon cut in briskly, throwing Ann a warning look, “we've passed all the tests then and the meetings have been going well?”

Rose shuffled her paperwork, “you have. We're very pleased with your progress. Oh,” she jumped slightly in her seat and looked down at her feet. A white fluffy cat had wrapped itself around her legs and was purring contentedly.

“That's just snowy,” Ann said as she clicked her fingers, “come here, you daft moggie.”

Obediently the feline stretched, then padded across to jump up on Ann's lap.

Jon sprang to his feet, “it is okay for us to have a cat, isn't it?”

Rose looked up at the towering man with a frown, “of course it is Mr Stokes, please do relax, myself and my colleagues think you will be wonderful parents.”

Slowly he lowered himself back on the chair, “that's great, erm, have you found anyone suitable?”

“I have,” Rose bent to pull out a pair of lopsided spectacles and perched them on her upturned nose, “his name is Samuel and he's twelve years old.”

Ann sucked in her breath, while the social worker unclipped a glossy photograph of a rather surly looking individual with blonde curls and piercing blue eyes.

“At the moment he's living with foster parents in Rocksley.”

“I know it,” Jon nodded as Ann passed him the picture, “I travel there a lot for work, it's not too far is it?”

“Not at all,” Rose replied, “about a half hour car ride and there's a direct train that stops there.”

“Where are his biological parents?” Ann asked.

“Both alcoholics, both in prison for theft and violent offences. They neglected him and neither of them wanted the responsibility of him.”

Ann gulped, “the poor boy. Are there no other family members willing to care for him?”

Rose shook her head, “sadly not. The paternal grandparents are both deceased and the maternal grandmother is in a care home, suffering with dementia. There are no aunties and uncles.”

Jon pushed a hand through his hair, “so how is he coping with all this…this upheaval?”

“As can be imagined not too well. He is a very quiet and withdrawn boy, who needs a permanent, stable home as soon as possible. You stated on your application that you preferred an older child?”

“We did,” Ann confirmed.

“So, would you be willing and happy to meet him?”

Ann paused, mind whirring. This whole adoption business had progressed so much faster than she had anticipated. Then she noticed Jon gazing at her with wide, expectant eyes and she felt a tug of tender emotion for her husband.

“Yes,” said Ann firmly, “we'd love to meet him.”

Rose beamed at them both, “that's grand. I'll set the paperwork in motion and be in touch very soon. In the meantime, here is a dossier for you to read through, it tells you about Samuel's background, his likes and dislikes, hobbies, that sort of thing. I've also bought you some books on the adoption process and what further support there is out there for you.”

“She's already got a shelf full,” Jon pointed to the corner of the lounge, where a pile of books balanced precariously.

“Wonderful,” Rose replied, “it's a good idea to be well informed.” She rose to her feet and shrugged on her rain mac, “it looks like the summer is well and truly over.”

Ann gazed towards the rain spattered window and thought about this young boy they could possibly be adopting. What on earth are we doing she wondered a little panicked, are we even ready for this?

“Would you like another drink?” Ann rasped. She was torn between wanting to wave goodbye to Rose and forgetting the whole idea, or alternatively begging her to stay and bombarding her with more questions.

“Good heavens no! I'm on my fourth already and it's only,” she glanced at her wrist, “eleven o'clock.”

“We're big tea lovers in this house too,” Jon replied with a laugh, but Rose was staring at Ann.

“Are you sure you don't need some time to consider this?”

Ann swallowed and looked nervously at Jon, who was on his feet, eyes shining with excitement. After a moment's hesitation she smiled brightly at the kind social worker, “I'm just a little surprised at how quickly you've found someone. It seems that it took forever for the paperwork and checks to be completed and now, here we are…”

“It's sad to say that there are so many children stuck in the care system at this very moment, waiting for a loving home. Time isn't on their side I'm afraid. But if you would like more time Ann, please don't be afraid to say. We could postpone the meeting with Samuel until you are ready.”

Ann was unable to meet Jon's eyes, she could sense the upset and disappointment emanating from him. Averting her gaze away from Rose, she stared down at her lap, at her trembling fingers, “I, I'm just not s-sure I can be the perfect parent this child so desperately needs.” She stuttered the words, trying to verbalise her own internal angst on the whole adoption situation.

Rose clucked above her sympathetically, “nobody is perfect, that would be unrealistic to assume it of anyone, even the Queen, especially the Queen,” the three of them laughed and the tense atmosphere abated a little, “Ann, I reiterate my complete support for you. My colleagues and I think you'll be great, both of you, and you have our support, one hundred percent. The adoption process is very vigorous, you've done well to come this far. You should be proud,” she patted her hand soothingly, “now, I really do have to get to my next appointment. I'll be in touch, but in the meantime read through the literature, visit the websites. There's a wealth of support and advice out there for you Ann, and if all else fails, you can call a member of my team any time.”

Ann smiled gratefully.

“Hopefully I have allayed some of your fears,” Rose concluded, “now before I go, do you think I could use your toilet?”

Ann listened to the sound of the door squeaking open, as Jon went to let Rose out of the house.

“Well I think that went well,” he bounded back towards her, a goofy smile on his face.

“But why are we listening to classical music?” Ann motioned towards the CD player, where a cacophony of violins soared around the room.

“Oh, I thought it would make a good impression,” Jon flicked the remote and the noise filtered away, “I didn't think our usual Meatloaf ballads would create the right ambience.”

Ann laughed, “you're right. I think Rose was impressed with concerto number five, or whatever it is.”

Jon hunched down in front of her and planted a tender kiss on her mouth, “you were great today Ann. I love you Mrs Stokes.”

Ann clasped his face in her hands and kissed him back, “love you too. Now, what shall we have for lunch? I'm starving.”

“You're so romantic,” Jon replied with a laugh, “how about we go out for a pub meal? A celebratory treat.”

Ann c****d her head to one side, “you know what? I think I would much rather stay here, sit and read. It's not long until year two starts and I'd like to be prepared as much as possible.”

“Whatever you want angel,” Jon disappeared into the kitchen and set about searching in the fridge, while Ann wheeled herself over to the bookcase and pondered on which classic novel she could immerse herself in next.