**Diary Entry**
I found a lost phone and returned it to its owner. But when he spotted the pendant around my neck, he froze
Emily! The gruff voice of my stepfather echoed from the depths of the flat.
Wake up, I thought bitterly. Here we go again
Glancing around, I grabbed a hoodie, threw it on, and bolted outside to the backyard.
Em, where are you off to? came my grandmothers frail voice. Not for long, Gran!
At the entrance, two neighbours eyed me warily. Causing trouble again?
I just nodded politely, forcing a smile. Maybe I could wait out his morning temper somewhere on the street.
I trudged along the pavement leading to the corner shop, kicking pebbles as I went. The same thought looped in my head: *If Mum were alive he wouldnt treat me like this.*
Mumher name was Charlottehad died a year ago. A drunk driver had fallen asleep at the wheel and ploughed into a bus stop. She and three others died instantly. The driver only woke up when paramedics surrounded him.
After the funeral, the question arosewho would take me in? My grandparents refused outright.
Were too old to raise a teenager, Gran said. Kids these days arent easy. And our health isnt what it used to be. She turned to Grandad. Back me up here. We cant manage. Let her stay with Danielhe adopted her anyway.
Daniel, Mums husband, *had* legally adopted me. But he never saw me as his. He didnt hurt mejust ignored me. At first, I called him Dad. Then one day, he snapped:
Im not your dad. Call me Uncle Dan, understand?
Id wanted to ask Mum about my real father, but shed just laughed it off. After she died, Daniel drank more.
When I turned seven, school was inevitable.
Half my wages go on you, he grumbled, dumping a new backpack full of textbooks, notebooks, and stationery on my bed. Time to pull your weight. Youll cook, cleanthis house is your responsibility now.
*Right, because who else would?* But I just nodded to avoid a fight.
Soon, he sent me to the shop for food, having arranged with the cashier not to ask questions. At first, I was embarrassed, but I got used to it. The cashier sometimes slipped me sweetsjust being kind.
Today, I walked the familiar route, crossing the car park when something caught my eyea mobile phone.
I picked it up. Wow, I muttered. Not even scratched!
I pressed the power buttonmiraculously, it turned on, unlocked. I sat on a bench outside the shop and scrolled through the contacts. Mostly business names with “Ltd” or “PLC,” then surnames. Finally, I found: Wife. I dialled.
After a few rings, someone answered.
Hi! I found your husbands phone, I said calmly.
How did you know who to call?
It wasnt locked. You were listed as Wife.
Right. Where are you? Ill come get it.
Fine, but dont go snooping, alright? I frowned. Yeah, yeah. Im on my way.
I gave the address and hung up. The phone buzzeda call from Snout. I stifled a laugh, remembering a boy in nursery with a big nose. My stepdad had called him Snout the Nose Bug.
Hello? I answered.
Thats my phone! Borrowing a friends. You said my wifes coming?
Shes almost here.
Waitwhats your name?
Emily.
Emily, listen. Dont hand it to her. Ill be right there. Where are you?
I started explaining, but he cut me off.
I know the spotdropped it getting in the car. *Wait.*
The call ended. I tucked the phone under my hoodie. Shortly after, a sleek red car pulled up. A stunning woman stepped out, and I froze. She scanned the area and marched over.
Hi, are you the one who called?
No, he stepped aside. Said hed be back in a minute.
How *irritating*, she muttered. Im in a hurry!
Wonder where Im headed, a deep voice quipped behind us.
I turned. A tall, dark-haired man stood there, his sharp eyes amused.
Not after my card details, then? he said. Rocketed over when you heard it wasnt locked?
The woman forced a laugh, but his guess had hit home.
He sat beside me. Hi. Thanks for finding my phone. Youre a good kid. Tell your mumshell be proud.
I dont have a mum, I whispered, staring at my shoes.
I unzipped my hoodie and handed him the phone. He reached for itthen froze. His gaze locked onto my pendant: a tiny resin maple leaf with a ladybird at the base.
The woman tensed. His face twistedlike he was fighting memories.
Where did you get that? he asked coldly, fingers grazing the pendant. He flinched, recoiling as if burned. I scrambled back.
M-My mum gave it to me before she died. II have to go.
I darted off, but he called after me.
Wait! Im Robert Whitmore. How can I thank you?
Dont need anything. Bye.
As I walked, I wondered: *Why did he react like that?*
I remembered Mum fastening it around my neck when I was five.
Little fox, shed said, may it bring you the same happiness it brought me.
What happiness? Id asked.
Shed spun me around, laughing. *You*, silly!
I didnt notice Robert following at a distance. Hed sent his wife home, drawn to me for reasons he couldnt explain.
When I slipped into my building, he approached two elderly neighbours on a bench.
Evening. Could you tell me which flat that girl lives in?
Whore you? one asked suspiciously.
Just returning some money she dropped at the shop. He flashed a receipt. Poor Emily, with that stepfather of hers
They softened, telling him everything. Just then, a crash and drunken shout came from above.
Emily, you brat! Where are you? Ill box your ears!
Robert sprinted upstairs and hammered on the door. It swung openDaniel stood there, red-eyed and reeking of booze.
Who the hell are you?
Robert shoved past him. I was curled on the sofa, trembling. He held out his hand. Without a word, I took it.
Daniel lurched into the doorway. Where dyou think youre going?
Robert pressed a palm to his forehead. Daniel wobbled, then slumped to the floor.
Did you *kill* him? I gasped.
Hardly, Robert chuckled. Hell sleep it off. Did he hurt you?
I shook my head. Daniel wasnt eviljust a broken man.
Lauren, Mums best friend, had warned me: Call me if he gets worse. Dont stay a second longer than you have to.
Once, shed come to fetch me, but Daniel had drunkenly thrown her out. After that, she waited outside.
Roberts home stunned me. Not huge, but bright, immaculatelike a magazine spread. His wife, Isabelle, greeted us coolly.
Thisll be your room for now, she said, stressing *for now*.
The word stabbed me. *Then what? Foster care?* I decided Id run at the first chance.
The room was bigger than our old flat. A bed, wardrobe, desk, tellyeven a full-length mirror. I perched on the windowsill until Robert knocked.
May I?
Inside, he studied me. I need to know about your mum. Her name, her lifeanyone who knew her well.
His intensity unsettled me, but I told him everything, including Laurens number. His eyes glistenedor maybe I imagined it.
Later, eavesdropping outside the kitchen, I heard Isabelle hiss: Why bring her here? What if her stepfather calls the police?
Look at where she lives! Its a *hovel*.
Hes not even her father. Do you *want* this drama?
Sometimes I wonder why I married you.
Because Im smart, beautiful, and practical. Someone has to think for both of us.
Robert left to fetch Emily dinner. I hurried back to my room. One thing was clearIsabelle wasnt my ally.
That night, Robert met Lauren at a café.
Eight years ago, he began,
