Everyone helped unload the car and we carried Stevie’s bags straight into his room, which I admired. Stevie was then so busy trying to contain Kiri and Liam, who were eager to help him unpack, that he forgot about the cup of tea. I decided it was best to leave them to it and not prolong the goodbye.

  ‘I’ll be off then, Stevie,’ I said, touching his arm to gain his attention. ‘You take care.’ He turned from the suitcase Kiri and Liam were unpacking and hugged me goodbye. I then said goodbye to everyone else.

  ‘I’ll see you out,’ Fred said.

  With a final goodbye, I went with Fred into the hall, where he gave me a box of chocolates. ‘Thanks for all you did,’ he said.

  ‘You’re welcome, and thanks for these. My favourites. I’m so pleased it’s all worked out for you.’

  ‘So am I,’ he said, and opened the front door. ‘Strange old world, isn’t it? As they say, there’s nowt so queer as folk.’ He burst into laughter at his own joke.

  ‘You can say that again, Fred,’ I said with a smile, and went down the path to my car.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Proud

  We missed Stevie, of course we did, but that’s the nature of fostering. Heart-breaking though it is, you welcome the child or young person into your home and hearts, do the best you can for them, and then say goodbye, hoping you’ve helped them to a better future. Stevie texted us all every day for the first week and then his messages tailed off, although he still kept in touch with the girls to chat about music and fashion. A new child arrived, or rather two, a few days after Stevie left, but that’s another story.

  In November, three months after Stevie had moved out, an official-looking letter arrived for him bearing the stamp of the railway company that had been pursuing him for non-payment of fare. When he’d left the matter had still been outstanding and I hadn’t heard anything in the interim. It had obviously slipped everyone’s minds to notify the company of Stevie’s change of address. I hoped the letter contained good news – I thought it would – and that the company had decided there’d been mitigating circumstances when Stevie had got on the train without a ticket, wanting to get lost, and that they wouldn’t take any further action. I readdressed the envelope straight away and reposted it. But two days later, to my horror, Stevie texted: The railway company are prosecuting me. I’ve got to go to court. :)

  I couldn’t believe it. What a waste of court time! I texted back: Sorry to hear that. Let me know if there’s anything I can do x.

  I was worried how this would affect Stevie and it played on my mind for the rest of the week. On Friday morning, once I knew Stevie, Liam and Kiri would be at school, I telephoned Stevie’s grandparents. Peggy answered. She was pleased to hear from me but guessed why I was phoning. ‘Did Stevie tell you about that bloody railway company, excuse my language?’

  ‘Yes, he texted. I was horrified. How is he coping?’

  ‘He was shocked when he opened the letter. We all were. To be honest, I’d forgotten about it, and Fred had assumed they weren’t pursuing it. We’ve been to see the solicitor. You don’t have to have a solicitor to represent you in the magistrates’ court, but we thought it wise. It’ll stop Fred giving his all to the magistrates, and the solicitor will speak for Stevie in court.’

  ‘That sounds wise, but I’m so sorry you’ve had all this extra worry. Will you let me know the outcome?’

  ‘Yes, of course. The hearing is in ten days’ time. I’ve told Stevie not to worry, but of course we’re all worried. If he’s found guilty, he could have a criminal record just for not buying a ticket!’

  ‘Yes, I know. It’s appalling.’

  Two weeks later Peggy phoned, relieved. On the advice of their solicitor Stevie had pleaded guilty, said how sorry he was that he’d forgotten to buy a ticket and promised never to do it again. He was fined but didn’t have a criminal record, as the railway company and magistrates accepted there were extenuating circumstances. Peggy wasn’t sure what exactly had taken place in court, as their solicitor had told them to wait outside and just he and Stevie had gone into court. I was relieved and pleased by the outcome, although Peggy, like me, wondered what all this had cost the railway company and taxpayer. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to have issued a fine on the spot? It would certainly have saved a lot of time and worry.

  I asked Peggy if she knew if ‘Joey’, or whatever his real name was, had been caught and she said she didn’t think so, as they hadn’t heard anything further from the police. We chatted for a while longer and then said goodbye. It would be up to her and Stevie to keep in touch now. Some families of the children I’ve fostered do keep in touch, while others want to forget that difficult time and don’t.

  Christmas came and went, and I was very busy with the two children I was fostering. In February, Stevie texted me saying he’d finally received the appointment at the gender-identity clinic. It was a year after he’d first been referred by Verity, but it was an NHS service, so free to the user. He said his gran was going with him. I messaged back saying I hoped the appointment went well. I knew that first appointment would be lengthy and involve discussion and assessment.

  I didn’t hear any more, but two months later, during the Easter holidays, while I was in town with the two young children I was fostering, I suddenly heard a cry of ‘Cathy!’ from across the road. I looked over and saw Stevie on the other side, waving at me. I waited for him to come over. He was as pleased to see me as I was him, and we hugged, then I introduced him to the children.

  ‘You’re looking very well,’ I said to him. ‘How are you doing?’

  ‘Good. What do you think of the pink, then?’ He had a bright-pink flash running through his hair.

  ‘You certainly won’t get lost in a crowd,’ I joked.

  He laughed. ‘I had it done last week. Grandpa went spare.’

  ‘I hope you’re not trying to wind him up again,’ I said.

  ‘As if I would. No, I did it because I wanted to.’

  ‘Very eye-catching.’

  As flamboyant as ever, Stevie was dressed strikingly in turquoise trousers and jumper beneath a camel-coloured coat. Tasteful and stylish. I knew from when he’d lived with me that, as well as asking for clothes for his birthday and at Christmas, he eked out his allowance by shopping in second-hand shops, where he found great bargains. As we talked he asked after my mother, Adrian, Paula and Lucy.

  ‘How did the appointment at the clinic go?’ I eventually asked. ‘I’ve been thinking about you since you texted saying you were going.’

  ‘Good, but I’ve decided not to take the tablets to stop puberty. Having talked to the doctor and the therapist, I’ve come to see that there are masculine and feminine traits in us all. It’s not like I want to be a girl all the time. I know some kids feel they’ve been born in the wrong body and they’re so unhappy they have to change gender, but I don’t. I feel comfortable as a boy or a girl – gender-fluid, that’s me.’

  ‘As long as you’re happy,’ I said.

  ‘I am.’

  He looked it. ‘You’ve come a long way, Stevie.’

  ‘Thanks to you. I was in a really bad way when I first arrived at your place. I had all that stuff going on with Joey. I didn’t know who I was or what I wanted. And I had Grandpa going on at me. You and your family treated me with respect and gave me the space and confidence I needed to find myself and make proper friends.’

  I was really touched that he still felt this way and, ridiculously, in the middle of the high street, I felt my eyes fill. He gave me another big hug. ‘Softy,’ he said.

  ‘How is it going with your grandpa?’ I asked.

  Stevie rolled his eyes indulgently. ‘You know Grandpa. I have to walk away sometimes so I don’t say something I’ll regret. Having my own room helps. I can go in there and be alone. But he’s OK, and it can’t have been easy for him and Gran.’

  I smiled. ‘His heart’s in the right place.’

  ‘Yes, that’s what Gran says. Anyway, I’d better be going, I’m meeting up with some friends soon, but I saw you and wanted to say hi.’

  ‘I’m glad you did. Take care, and give my love to your family.’

  We hugged goodbye and I watched him go, a confident young person at peace with himself. My heart swelled with pride and I was really touched that Stevie felt I had helped him to become the person he was.

  For the latest on Stevie and the other children in my books, please visit www.cathyglass.co.uk.

  Suggested topics for reading-group discussion

  At the start of the book Stevie’s grandparents, Peggy and Fred, are struggling to understand Stevie’s gender identity. What, if anything, could Stevie have done or not done to ease the tension?

  At Stevie’s first review Fred accuses Cathy of encouraging Stevie. What does he mean by this? Do you think Cathy’s approach to looking after Stevie is correct? If not, what would you have done differently?

  Cathy describes Stevie as vulnerable and an easy target for someone like Joey. What do you think she means? How was Stevie more vulnerable than the average fourteen-year-old?

  Peggy feels she and Fred have been stricter with Stevie because of their experiences bringing up their daughter. How else might this have affected their parenting of Stevie?

  What emotional damage might Liam and Kiri have suffered as a result of Stevie taking photographs of them naked?

  What do you think parents, guardians and carers can do to keep children and young people safe online?

  Despite Fred’s abrasive manner, ‘his heart’s in the right place’. Discuss.

  Fred comes to realise that he needs to be computer savvy and learn how to use the Internet in order to protect Kiri and Liam. How do you think he can achieve this?

  What are your views on prosecuting first-time offenders for fare evasion?

  Our society is having to change its attitude to gender. Discuss.

  Praise for Cathy Glass

  ‘Poignant and revealing … real-life stories such as these have helped to move and inspire a generation’

  Sunday Mirror

  ‘A true tale of hope’

  OK! Magazine

  ‘Heartbreaking’

  Mirror

  ‘A life-affirming read … that proves sometimes a little hope is all you need’

  Heat Magazine

  ‘A hugely touching and emotional true tale’

  Star Magazine

  ‘Foster carers rarely get the praise they deserve, but Cathy Glass’s book should change all that’

  First Magazine

  ‘Cannot fail to move those who read it’

  Adoption-net

  ‘Once again, Cathy Glass has blown me away with a poignant story’

  The Writing Garnet, book blogger

  ‘Brilliant book. I’d expect nothing less from Cathy … I cried, of course’

  Goodreads review

  ‘… gripping page-turner from start to finish … emotive and heart-wrenching …’

  Kate Hall, book blogger

  ‘… another great read … no complex narrative, just pure storytelling …’

  5* Kindle review

  ‘Filled with compassion and love’

  Victoria Goldman, Lovereading

  ‘Never disappoints and brings a tear to my eye’

  Hannah, book blogger

  ‘Simply yet eloquently told … Cathy’s years of fostering experience shine a beam of light across the pages’

  Liz Robinson, Lovereading

  ‘Amazing writing from an incredible lady’

  5* Amazon review

  ‘Wonderfully written book’

  5* Kindle review

  ‘ A captivating insight into the life of a foster carer’

  Victoria Goldman, Lovereading

  ‘I have read all Cathy Glass’s books and none dis­appoint’

  5* Amazon review

  ‘Great job, Cathy Glass. Keep doing what you do and I’ll keep reading’

  Goodreads review

  About the Publisher

  Australia

  HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty. Ltd.

  Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street

  Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

  www.harpercollins.com.au

  Canada

  HarperCollins Canada

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  22 Adelaide Street West, 41st Floor

  Toronto, ON, M5H 4E3, Canada

  http://www.harpercollins.ca

  India

  HarperCollins India

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  Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201 301, India

  http://www.harpercollins.co.in

  New Zealand

  HarperCollins Publishers (New Zealand) Limited

  P.O. Box 1

  Auckland, New Zealand

  www.harpercollins.co.nz

  United Kingdom

  HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.

  1 London Bridge Street

  London SE1 9GF

  www.harpercollins.co.uk

  United States

  HarperCollins Publishers Inc.

  195 Broadway

  New York, NY 10007

  www.harpercollins.com

 

 

  Cathy Glass, Finding Stevie

 

 

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