Chapter 41: Cora - The Foster Child

We’re having breakfast before Elliot leaves for work on Monday when my phone rings. I glance at the screen and see that it’s Lori.

I press answer and notice that her video is off. Again. ‘Hi, Lori, how lovely to hear from you. How are you, darling?’

‘Mum.’ Her voice breaks into a sob. ‘Mum, me and Jacob have split up.’

I sit down, make sure my tone is soft and soothing. ‘Oh love, I’m so sorry.’

‘Can I come and stay with you for a bit, please? Just a week or two? Will Elliot mind?’

I turn as Elliot walks in. He must have caught his name because he raises his eyebrows questioningly.

‘Of course you can, love. Elliot won’t mind at all,’ I tell her. ‘It will be lovely to have you here.’ I can’t help feeling pleased that she’s split up with Jacob, but I’m sorry that she’s so upset.

I’m aware of Elliot putting a cup of coffee in front of me and smile my thanks at him but I don’t want to break the call to let him know what’s happening. Lori sounds so distressed I wish I could gather her into my arms and hug her but she’s too far away.

‘Thanks, Mum.’ There’s silence for a moment and I wonder if I’ve lost the connection.

‘Lori. Are you still there?’

‘Yes.’ Her voice is mumbled. ‘Mum, I’m leaving for the train station now. I’ll be there in a few hours. I’ll text you when I’m a couple of stops away. Can you pick me up, please?’

‘Of course, but Lori⁠—’

Too late, she’s ended the call.

Butterflies of unease flutter in my stomach. Why is she coming so suddenly? And she sounded frightened.

‘Trouble?’ Elliot asks, swigging his coffee, still standing ready to go.

‘Lori and Jacob have split up and she wants to spend the whole Christmas holidays with us. She sounds so upset.’ I look at him over the rim of my mug. ‘She’s coming now. Today. I hope that’s okay with you. I didn’t have time to ask you.’

‘Of course it is. You don’t need my permission for your daughter to stay. It will be nice to spend some more time with her on her own. Like you, I didn’t take to Jacob.’

I’m worried though. There’s something Lori isn’t telling me, I can sense it. We’ll have a day or so alone as Elliot finishes work lunchtime on Christmas Eve, hopefully she will open up to me.

‘I was going to ask what you’d got planned for today but I’m guessing you’ll be getting a room ready for Lori?’ Elliot says as he finishes his coffee and puts his mug in the dishwasher.

‘Yes, I was going to do that tomorrow as I was expecting them both on Christmas Eve.’ There’s a spare double room next to the bathroom so I’d decided to make that up for them. It won’t take me long.

Elliot leans over and kisses me. ‘I hope she’s okay. I’ll see you both later. I’ll try to finish work early. Don’t bother with making something for dinner, we’ll go to the pub or have a takeaway, whichever Lori prefers.’

‘Thank you.’ I caress his cheek with my hand. He’s so thoughtful and kind.

I make up the spare bedroom for Lori and have a quick tidy around. She sounded so upset and I’m worried about her. I’m glad that she’s coming to stay so that I can look after her for a bit. I want to spoil her, get some of her favourite snacks and treats. I’ll get some of that honey and almond bubble bath she likes too, I decide. I’ll pop to the village shop before I pick her up.

* * *

I’m standing in the queue when I’m aware that Anita Taylor-Brown is ahead of me, the next one to be served.

‘Hello, Anita, we don’t often see you in here,’ the cashier says.

‘I know, Violet’s been away for a few days, visiting her family. She’s back this afternoon though, thank goodness. I’ve missed her, she’s such a help with the children and errands.’

I almost drop my basket with shock. Violet’s been away. Is that why we haven’t had any trouble recently? I’d thought it was Caleb and he’d got bored, but what if it was Violet after all? Is it all going to start up again when she’s back this afternoon? Especially if she finds out that Lori has come to stay.