16

*** Halle ***

When I get to my father’s office, Brad is inside with a leggy blonde with far too much leg and breast on show. I stay outside and listen to what is happening.

“Bring me the files and leave them on my desk.” I hear a filing cabinet sliding open. “Is this all the stuff we have on social services, Erin?”

“Yes, sir, but my name is Bethany, remember?” There is a small silence followed by rustling and more drawers opening.

“Yeah, yeah whatever, love. Look, Ms Morales will be here any minute and she needs help locating a little girl. I need the contact we have for social services, child protection, the lot. Who is our contact?”

There is some page turning, “Oh, here it is, Mr. Suarez, it’s a guy named Gerry, he works in child protection.”

“Okay that’ll be all, Stephanie, could you please show Ms Morales straight in when she arrives? Thank you.”

I hear a huff of exasperation and some muttering under her breath. “My name is Bethany!” I can’t help but smile when the blonde comes ou