Cut by Cathy Glass Read Free Book Online

reached into the back of the car for my large shoulder bag, which had become my constant companion since I’d had Adrian. It contained clean nappies, baby wipes, a small bottle of boiled water, and a rattle and a dummy in case he became restless. Then I carefully lifted Adrian out from his baby seat.
    ‘Shall I carry him?’ Dawn immediately asked. Already standing on the pavement, she stretched out her arms ready to receive him. ‘You’re with me, and I won’t drop him.’
    I looked at the hard concrete pavement. ‘No, it’s all right, thanks, love. I can manage.’ She wasn’t offended by my refusal, and I recognised she only wanted to help but, again, I could see the dangers where a thirteen-year-old could not. I briefly wondered if her enthusiasm for helping with Adrian was going to cause a problem.
    Dawn and I joined the other pupils who were heading towards the main entrance, and followed a couple of boys up the stone steps and through the open double doors. Reception was immediately on the right and the sliding glass partition doors were closed. Repositioning Adrian in my arms, I pressed the bell for attention. Dawn hadn’t said anything since leaving the car, not even to Adrian, to whom she had chatted constantly during the journey.
    ‘Are you all right?’ I asked her, as we waited for the reception bell to be answered. Dawn nodded but didn’t say anything.
    Pupils streamed along the corridor behind us and then a siren signalling the start of school suddenly went off over our heads. Adrian nearly leapt out of my arms with fright and I held him close and rocked him. ‘That was loud,’ I said to Dawn when the noise had stopped.
    ‘I have to go to my lessons now. I can’t be late.’
    ‘All right. You join your class while I see someone here. If your teacher asks why you’re not in uniform, explain I am seeing the Head.’
    She nodded, and kissed Adrian’s cheek, and then mine.
    ‘Have a good day,’ I said. ‘I’ll wait for you outside. Three fifteen, isn’t it?’
    ‘It’ll take me five minutes to get out.’
    ‘OK, love. See you later.’
    She gave Adrian another kiss and then disappeared down the corridor with the other students. I pressed the buzzer again at reception and a woman finally appeared behind the glass partition and slid open one of the doors.
    ‘Yes?’ she asked, brusquely.
    ‘My name is Cathy Glass. Dawn Jennings is staying with me. I’m her foster carer.’
    ‘Dawn Jennings? Which class is she in?’
    I hadn’t thought to ask Dawn. ‘I’m not sure. She’s thirteen.’
    ‘That’s the second year.’ She paused. ‘Oh yes, Dawn Jennings. She hasn’t been here long, has she?’
    ‘I really don’t know. I’d like to speak to someone about Dawn. Is the Head available? Or the Deputy?’
    ‘At this time of day? You must be joking! They’re busy. And her teacher will be with her in the classroom for registration. Can’t you come back later?’
    ‘I could,’ I said, not appreciating her manner. ‘But Dawn isn’t in school uniform, and I wanted to explain the reason to someone. And also have a chat about Dawn.’
    She hesitated. ‘Stay there.’ She closed the glass partition and went to a desk behind her, where she picked up a phone. As the noise level in the corridor rose with the last of the pupils running in to avoid being late, I rocked Adrian. I saw the receptionist put down the phone, and then the glass door slid open again.
    ‘You’re in luck,’ she said. ‘The Head of Year can see you for a few minutes. Wait over there.’ She pointed across the corridor to an open door.
    ‘Thank you,’ I said.
    I went over to the waiting room, where there were four wooden chairs and a small table displaying copies of the school prospectus. I sat down and resettled Adrian on my lap. He was busy looking around, although there wasn’t much to see. The walls were light grey and blank, except for a couple of road safety posters warning children about the hazards of