Page 16 of The Dead Ex

Shaggy-Fringe was kneeling next to her again. ‘You’ll need to stay somewhere else tonight.Let’s see what happens after that, shall we?’

Scarlet felt a flash of panic. ‘But I gave you my story. So you have to let me see her, like you promised.’

‘We will, as soon as we find somewhere for you to stay.’

‘Why can’t I just go home?’

‘Because there’s no one there, love. It’s not allowed.’

‘Where’s my mum? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER?’

The mean cop was holding her hand, yanking her intothe corridor outside.

‘I don’t think that’s necessary …’ began Shaggy-Fringe behind them.

Then she saw her! Mum! Going through another door to the right. (Scarlet was good at her lefts and rights. Left was where you turned for the park game. Right was where you turned for the shops.)

Mum’s voice stabbed her chest. Scarlet wasn’t exactly sure what ‘stabbed’ meant but she did know that it hurta lot because it happened to the boy who lived two flats down. He was still in hospital.

‘Let me go!’ she could hear Mum screaming. ‘I want to speak to my baby. It’s my fucking right.’

‘Not now.’

Then the door slammed, and Mum went again.

‘Why have you taken her away from me?’ Scarlet flung herself on the floor, sobbing. ‘Why? Why?’

‘Poor little lamb,’ she heard above her.

‘Some mothersdon’t deserve to have kids,’ said another.

‘That’s enough. Who’s on the emergency placement list? Let’s see … The Walters. They’ll do.’

‘Listen, Scarlet. I’m going to drive you to see some nice people who will look after you. It will be much easier if you stop kicking and screaming. All right? We’ll sort you out with fresh clothes when we get there and get someone to let your school know what’shappened.’

‘Mum,’ gasped Scarlet. Her breath was running out and it was hard to say the words. ‘I need to tell her where I’m going.’

‘It’s OK, love. She already knows.’

‘When can I see her?’

There was another sigh. ‘We have to wait to see what happens in court. But don’t worry. You’re safe now.’

Myrrh. Uplifts your mood and soothes anger.

Orange. Similar effect. Can also reduce anxiety.

And don’t forget chamomile.

‘Anger aromatherapy,’ my tutor called it.

But sometimes you need something else as well.

I started keeping a diary when we had a psychologist in residence. He said it would help us to write things down – and he was right. It’s an emotional release. I honestly think that letting it all out on paper has stopped me from seriously hurting someone physically.

But others might argue that I’ve done that already.

So if anyone does happen to pick this up and read it (which they shouldn’t), I’d just like it on record that I didn’t start off this way.