Chapter 2
The person from the Department of Human Services was waiting for them in Clare’s office when they got back – a thin, young woman with frizzy black hair and a crooked smile. She introduced herself as Kim Maguire. ‘And this must be John,’ she said. ‘Why don’t we all sit down?’
‘Jack,’ Clare corrected her. ‘His name is Jack.’
Kim pulled a thick bundle of papers from her briefcase and examined it, while Jack slipped from his chair onto Clare’s knee.
‘No, as I said, it’s John. Definitely John.’ Kim brandished a fat manila folder like a weapon. ‘There’s already quite a file on him.’
‘The kid should know his own name, don’t you think?’ said Clare. ‘And he told me his name is Jack.’
Kim’s expression was pained. ‘That’s simply not possible, Clare. John is autistic, quite high on the
