Surprisingly none of the other seemed aware of Al’s distress yet. Bette was glaring at the door as though her anger would force them to open at our desired destination. Dana and Libby were leaned against one wall discussing the different methods of treatment for sports injuries; Karen and Jenny had sat down and were talking about some book or other and Carmen was just chilling and humming some unknown tune in a world of her own.

That was none of them had noticed until Alice made a lunge for the doors trying to prise them open muttering something about dying before turning round and throwing up on Bette and starting to gasp for air.

Meanwhile in the Lobby:-

————-Connor————

Holy Mary mother of god I met these people about twelve hours ago and now I am sat here trying to control six kids on my own while my only other allies try and find out how long it will take for their mothers and my other new friends as well as my girlfriend to be released from the lift they are at present stuck in.

As a doctor I should have known better than to let them have colas and sweets to try and keep them calm but I let them none the less and now they are full of sugar and have lost all ability to sit still or talk quietly. Fuck and wait a minute I was meant to be watching six children why the hell are there only five?”

Across the city at a group foster home:-

————–Andy————

“So miss Jenson is that all you need to know if there is anything else I would rather get it out of the way now.”

Miss Jenson was the social worker assigned to my sister’s case and had been grilling us on everything from our own child hoods to our plans for Holly’s education, to our relationship and sexuality and our careers. Despite this she emitted a calm air of well being and I felt at ease as she told me that she would be recommending us with flying colours for this part an now she would like for us to meet Holly.

As I followed her down the hall way I could hear the sound of children’s laughter coming from the room at the end and felt Rachel squeeze my hand as we went through the door.

I stood in awe as another social worker walked towards us holding the hand o a child who had just stolen my heart. Holly toddled over still a little awkward on her feet. Her hair was short on one side where she had had stitches a month ago but the rest was long and dark like mine. She was giggling at something and I could feel Rachel laugh at just the sound.

As she reached us I crouched down so I was at her level and Rachel did the same. As she looked at me her eyes went wide and her mouth formed an O of surprise.  She reached out and touched my face before saying one of the sweetest sentences I had ever heard.

“Ibby say you come see me. Say pretty lady come look afer me.”

With that she grabbed hold of my neck as I stood hugging for all I was worth. I couldn’t wait to get to know her, for her to get to know Rachel and for her to meet the others. Whatever they were doing I hope they were having as good a time as I was.