CHAPTER ONE

"Mum, can we go in there? It looks all bright and warm."

"Yes, Charlie, come along and I will buy you a beefburger and chips."

"Oh thank you, Mum, I am very hungry."

They went inside McDonald and Laura went up to the counter.

"One beefburger, chips, large and two cups of tea, please."

They sat down and had their food. Well, at least Charlie did. Laura had a cup of tea and lots of sugar. They sat there for a long while. Laura stared out of the window into the grey, dark street. People hurrying past, loaded with shopping bags. Some with umbrellas which they hardly could hold onto it because of the wind. The streets and shop windows were lit up with Christmas decorations.

"Mum, can I have another beefburger, please?"

Laura's heart missed a beat. She knew, she had only a limited amount of money but she couldn't say no. She smiled at him and got up to get him another one. After a long while the waitress started to look at them more and more. Laura and Charlie got up and went down the street.

The weather went worse. Laura felt so sorry for him. After all he is only five years old. All the time Laura was thinking, 'what am I going to do?' I got to do something. I can't walk into a Police Station and ask for help. He could have reported us missing and the police would take us straight back.

"Charlie, are you all right?"

"Yeah, I am all right," he said unconvincingly.

"You don't look it. Come on lets go into the Pizza. You like Pizza, don't you?"

"If we can, I rather go over there and have some chips."

"All right, fish and chips it is. Want some peas with it?" Laura thought, 'I might just as well. The money won't last anyway. Tomorrow I will go to the Social Service. I really will hate it but for Charlie's sake. Look at him, poor fellow. He didn't deserve that, to spend the night out on the street. I would have never thought it will come to that.'

They stayed in the cafe as long as possible. At least they were in the warmth. The man behind the counter kept looking at them now and then. He started to come over.

'Oh dear,' thought Laura, ' Ah well, we just have to go.'

"Please, can I asked you something?" he smiled at them ever so nicely. Laura began to relax.

"Yes, of course."

"I don't know how to put it, so you won't get the wrong impression. Are you having any problems? Please don't get worried or get me wrong. My wife will be coming in, any minute and she is a Salvation Officer.. So don't get me wrong. I just thought if you are having troubles, maybe my wife and I can help. There she is. Maria come and talk to this Lady and her little lad."

Laura, thought,' they seemed to be very friendly and nice but you never can tell.'

"Don't be afraid. John, my husband, is very kind hearted. Would you like to talk to me? Are you lost? Do you need any help? Look, son, go to John and he'll give another portion of chips."

"I don't want to lie. Yes, we are homeless. Charlie's father threw us out. He threatened us several times before, with a knife. He has another woman and he brought her to our home to stay. We have to cope tonight but tomorrow I can go to the Social Service. I am bound to get some help there. I can't let the lad stay out every night. We came to London too late. The offices were all closed. I didn't want to go to the police, it would have frightened Charlie. Also he might have contacted them. I don't want to be found now, after all that."

"Right, now I know, you both come home with me. We got a spare bedroom where you can sleep. Tomorrow we will see what can be done. All right?"

Laura was grateful and at the same time worried. Is she doing the right thing? At least Charlie will be out of the weather. She would have stayed out all night if it weren't for Charlie.

They went in their car to their house and Maria showed her where their bedroom and bathroom is. They put their heads down and were asleep before they could think again.

After a big breakfast Maria said, "Charlie I put the TV on for you, if you like to watch it." Charlie nodded and was off like a shot.

"Now, we can talk. I'll go upstairs for a minute and you can decide if you want to talk to me. I love to have you both here because the house is a bit empty. So, you think and decide."

When Maria came back, after quite a while, Laura said, "I like to talk to you if you have the time and also want to know.?"

Maria sat down and poured Laura and herself a cup of tea.

"Maria, I told you last night what happened. I have got to find a job and a small place to live in. That's why I came down to London because I thought it would be easier. Also, we would not be found so easily. I tried very hard all these years, after Charlie was born. His father just wouldn't settle down. He wanted it all his way and the slightest thing started him off. What happened that day definitely was the last straw. I felt so sorry for our son. He was sobbing his heart out. You don't behave like that. Before you ask, my parents died two years ago. Anyway, I would not stay with them because in case he came looking for us, when he changed his mood again.

I went to the University in Manchester and had a small room, when I met Phil. I thought I made the right choice but unfortunately - no. I told him to let us go since we can't live together peacefully. He wouldn't agree to that. Then he met that woman and brought her home because she was 'homeless'.

"Look, Laura, you have several choices. You can leave Charlie with me and look for a job. You give them this address to start with. I am not saying, I want you to go but if you then want to find a little flat, you have to decide that. I can ring around my friends and maybe they know of a vacancy.

Before you come to a decision, I will tell you about us. We are both orphans and were given up for adoption. When we were in that home we kept playing together. We just liked each other company. The staff noticed it and I was sent to another home. It broke my heart. I was very unhappy and because of it, I got into trouble most of the time. When John was 18 he learned carpentry. He rented a room with a nice family who treated him like their own. When he was 20 he started to look for me. Nobody would give him any information. He decided to put an advert in the paper. My friend saw it and told me about it. I wrote to the paper which forwarded the letter. We were over the moon. We got a little flat over a greengrocer shop. Saturday and Sunday we were helping out and learned the trade. After a few years the owner wanted to retire and sell. Our saving and a loan from the bank was not quite enough. The owner was so kind and let us have the shop. We paid him the rest of it, eventually.

We worked hard and now we have a few shops. We were too scared to have children after what happened to us. We are happy and glad to have found each other. John is so kind hearted. When he sees somebody in trouble, he wants to help. Now Laura do you want me to ring around or do you want to find a job by yourself. I am always straight forward and like to be told straight. You can stay here as long as you like. Charlie is happy here."

"Maria, you will never know what it means, walking the street and not knowing where to go. I was at my wit's end. Well, if it's all right with both of you, I would like to stay for another night. I don't want to take advantage of your kindness. I can't face it to walk those windy, cold and wet streets with Charlie again."

"Laura, this is a three bedroom house and half empty. You don't crowd us. You can stay as long as you like. I never say what I don't mean. When you made up your mind tell me straight. That's all I ask for."

The next morning, when they came down. Maria was beaming. "Guess what happened? If you like, my friend has a job for you. No, no, I didn't ring around behind your back. It really came out of the conversation. She needs somebody to organize here itinerary. She is a Sales Executive. How do you feel about that? I didn't say anything about you either. I will let you to decide. It would be a straight run by bus or underground from here. You could start in two weeks time, which would help Charlie to settle down and get used to me. Hopefully, he lost his fear of being abandoned, when you are at work. To be quite honest, I wish you both stay. Having no children you feel lonely, when you get older. Like that we would have a ready made family. John said something like that last night."

"Thank you for open your home to us. Look Maria, we all don't really know each other and I don't like to promise and then find out I can't keep it. I like you both very much and I am most grateful to you both. I just don't like to promise and find out I can't keep it. You never know what is going to happened tomorrow. I am also still too shook up to make a promise."

"That is fair enough and I like that. Let's stop talking and take each day as it comes. Think about that job and let me know. If you decide you would like to take it, I will then tell my friend."

"Maria, I really like the sound of this job. I am so lucky that I have found you and John. I don't know what would have happened to us that night. A 'thank you' doesn't sound enough for what I feel.  I would like to talk it over with Charlie first and see what he feels about it.  After all it was a great upheaval for him and he is only five year old.  He is in a strange house and people, don't take it wrong but I am worried that he feels being abandoned by the last person he knows.  I got be careful about the impact.   People think, 'they are kids, they take in their stide and get over it' but I don't think so.  It is in them, later on it comes up and then it can do great harm."

"Oh, Laura, we are also very grateful for having found you both. To us, it is like having a family.  I understand you point of view and I agree fully with it.  I know myself and I respect you for your concern and consideration.   You talk to Charlie and watch him closely for his reaction.  Let me know your decision later."