Chapter 45: Lori - The Foster Child

‘Is it Jacob? Has he come after me?’ I ask, my hands shaking.

‘What? No! It’s Violet. I’ll get rid of her, tell her I’m busy.’ Mum goes to answer the door.

I don’t want to be cruel but I really don’t want to see Violet right now. I just want to be with Mum. And Elliot. Where I’ll be safe.

‘Hello, Aunty Cora. I’ve just popped in with your Christmas present.’ Violet always sounds bright, breezy and friendly but there’s another side to her. Like Jacob.

‘That’s very kind of you,’ I hear Mum say.

‘Do you mind if I use your loo while I’m here? I won’t keep you if you’re busy.’

Oh, well played, Violet. As if Mum can refuse. ‘Of course,’ I hear her say and I brace myself for Violet coming in. The living room door is open and she’s bound to see me sitting here.

‘Oh hello, Lori. Sorry, must dash off to the loo.’ She hurries past the open door.

Mum comes in, carrying a large, wrapped present. ‘She brought us this. I’ve got a Christmas present for her too so I’ll nip upstairs and get it.’

Mum goes up the stairs and Violet comes back. She pops her head in the doorway.

‘Are you home for Christmas?’

‘Er, yes,’ I tell her.

‘That’s nice. Where’s Cora?’

‘She’s gone to get your Christmas present. Take a seat, she won’t be long.’ It’s the last thing I want her to do, but it would be rude not to ask her to sit down.

Violet plops herself down on a chair and smiles pleasantly at me. ‘Sorry that I haven’t got a present for you, Lori, I didn’t know that you’d be here. I thought you would be spending Christmas with Jacob.’

‘That’s fine,’ I tell her. I don’t want to tell her that we’ve split up, she’ll ask why and I don’t want to talk about it to anyone. Not even Mum.

Elliot comes in. ‘Oh hello, Violet. Nice to see you again. Anyone want a drink? We’ve got wine or a hot drink?’

‘White wine would be lovely, please,’ Violet says. ‘Oh and the postman handed me these, he was just about to put them in the box then saw me open the gate.’ She takes a few cards out of her handbag and puts them on the table. ‘You’re very popular.’

Elliot scoops the cards up. ‘I’ll put these in the kitchen to open later,’ he says. ‘Now how about you, Lori, do you want wine too?’

Why not, it might help me relax. And forget. ‘Please.’

Elliot goes out, taking the cards with him.

Violet leans forward, her hands clenched on her lap, and smiles at me. A smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.

‘So we meet up again, Lori.’ There’s a sinister edge to her voice. ‘And now we’re alone and can have a nice catch-up.’ Her eyes rest on my bruise. ‘Looks like you’ve been clumsy again.’

I swallow as the memories flood back but then Mum comes in and I quickly compose myself.

‘Here we are.’ Mum hands Violet a red sparkly gift bag. ‘Sorry to keep you waiting.’

‘Oh no worries, Elliot’s persuaded me to stay for a glass of wine.’ Violet leans back and smiles. ‘I’m so glad I popped in today. I didn’t realise that Lori was home. This is just like old times.’