LITMIR.BIZ

       Chapter 19

      Though Keeley knew nothing about the conversations that had been going on in her absence, unburdening herself to me seemed to mark something of a watershed, because she seemed to settle into a calmer, more productive place. Though, of course, the key might have been how Mike had changed his own perspective – he, of course, did know about what Danny had uncovered, which at least made him more sympathetic.

      As for me, I had to take John Fulshaw’s sage advice, and put everything on the mental back burner; leave social services to do their job without interference, while I got on with mine. There would be lots for them to do – assuming they felt as motivated to do it as I did – I hoped so – to look closely into the minutiae of Keeley’s records, and see how well they could stitch together a picture that was in accord with what Danny had found out.

      Only when they’d done that to their satisfaction would social services even consider taking steps to get in touch with, and therefore potentially disrupt the lives of, the carers Keeley’s older siblings were with now.

      And though John reminded me again that there was no question currently of any contact being sought for the younger, adopted siblings, I still hoped – though not outwardly, as I had to be poker-faced around Keeley – that the door was at least open for that to happen once the little ones had grown up.