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Thursday - 7th October 2010
Feeling very angry about the council's attitude, I write a long letter to explain recent events and ask them to be caring and supportive of Susie when we meet on Friday.
Susie rings during the evening, sounding scared. "Angela, I can't feel the baby. I haven't felt it since yesterday. What should I do?"
I suggest she rings the hospital immediately. She phones straight back, "I have to go straight in," she informs me, sounding frightened. Unfortunately there is no one who can be with her (her family are on holiday). I suggest that I meet her at the hospital in Taunton. It will take me an hour to get there.
Upon my arrival at the maternity unit, I go straight through to see Susie. To my great relief, she is sitting on the bed smiling. She has heard the baby's heart beat and everything is fine! Susie introduces me to a young woman, who works at the hostel, who had offered to accompany her to hospital. Susie is so apologetic that I had made a wasted journey. I reassure her that it is not important - I am just relieved everything is ok with her and the baby.
Upon my return home, I head straight for bed. Exhausted, I fall straight to sleep.
Friday 8th October - 2010
I leave home early morning, to deliver my letter to the council housing department in Taunton. Hopefully it will be read before Susie is interviewed at 11.30 this morning.
I am amazed when the woman arrives in the interview room smiling and cheerful. The interview goes unbelievably well. Susie is informed that she can only stay in her current accommodation for six weeks, and then she will be offered futher council accommodation until she is accepted for a place with a housing association. Susie will be put into Gold Band, which makes her a priority. I am gobsmaked that my letter has made so much difference. We thank the woman for her help.
As wait for the bus, to return to Minehead, Max phones Susie. I gather, from their conversation, that the police are looking for him.I know that he hasn't been to probabtion for some time, because of his job. I speak to Max and he sounds fine. I tread warily, only talking about his job and what he intends to do once his training finishes in 3 weeks' time. My heart skips a beat when he informs me that he hopes to move back to Minehead. In fact, he tells me that he is in Minehead today, looking for accommodation.
This evening, I attend an auction, for the South West Childrens' Hospice. I leave early, to ensure that my car is parked up the road, and I keep the house lights off, so that Max thinks I am at home
Arriving outside the house, , I think to myself, 'That's stange - the curtains in my living room have been closed and the lights are on!
Oh no...Max must have got into the house whilst I was out. But how? As far as I know, he hasn't got a key. I always make sure the windows are kept closed; because he used to climb the drainpipe in the past and get through the smallest window in the bathroom.
Warily, I unlock the front door and shout, "Max." but here is no reply. Slowly I peep around the living room door...there, sprawled out on the settee is Max. He is out cold. I cannot wake him. I am so tired, so go straight to bed and decide not to worry about it 'til the morning. During the night I hear Max in the bathroom. "What are you doing Max?" I ask. "Getting a sleeping bag cos I'm cold," he replies. I turn over and go back to sleep.
Saturday 9th October - 2010
When I wake up at seven o'clock this morning, I try to work out what I will say to Max and how. I must insist he leaves the house immediately. Also, I am curious as to how he entered the house in the first place. Once again, I tread carefully, not knowing what sort of a mood he will be in. Cautiously, I enter the living room...
Max has gone! I cannot believe my eyes. It is unbelievable. I feel I am living in a reality soap, not knowing what to expect next!
The back door and back gate, which I usually keep locked, are both wide open. It dawns on me that I must have left the back door unlocked when I went to the auction. Max must have locked the door upon entering the house.
Max phones me during the day. "What happened last night?" I ask.
"Haven't got a clue," he replies. "I don't remember anything. I woke up early this morning, to find myself in a sleeping bag on your settee. I thought, I'd better get out of the house quickly before you wake up otherwise I'd be in trouble."
I feel too weary to have a go at him. The fact that Max wasn't aware where he was, or what he was doing, he must have been very drunk.He reassures me that he won't be arriving at my house tonight. He is on his way back to Illminster. At least I shall be able to rest in peace for a few hours.
