Free Families and Friendships by Margaret Thornton Page A

seemed.
    But there was no doubt that Debbie was becoming more difficult as the weeks and months went by. Vera worried about it, but Stanley rather less so. ‘Teenagers all go through this stage,’ he said, trying to console his wife. ‘I’ve talked to the fellows at work, and they say their kids are all the same.’
    But she seems to be growing away from us,’ said Vera. ‘I know she was never a very clinging sort of child, but I feel sometimes that she can’t be bothered with us at all. I do wonder, Stanley, if it’s because she was adopted; whether she’s thinking about … well, about finding her real mother.’
    â€˜You’re her real mother,’ Stanley replied. ‘Don’t be silly, Vera.’
    â€˜Yes, I know that, Stanley, and I’ve alway tried to assure Debbie that we’re her real parents now. But you know what I mean. She hasn’t said anything, not since that time a couple of years ago when she was asking about Claire and all that. But she can be so difficult at times – well, a lot of the time now – and she’s secretive, as well, as though there’s something on her mind.’
    â€˜She’d be just the same if she were our own flesh and blood,’ Stanley replied. ‘You take it from me. It’s just a phase she’s going through. And I like young Kevin. She could have done a lot worse, I can tell you. Some of the young trainee lasses we’re getting at work now – drinking, smoking, swearing, and goodness knows what else! I wouldn’t he happy if she was friendly with one of them. I don’t think Kevin’s likely to lead her astray.’
    â€˜I do wonder, though, if he’s encouraging her in this business of wanting to leave school. He left when he was sixteen, didn’t he? And we had such high hopes for her, Stanley,’
    â€˜Aye, well maybe we’re wrong to try and push her into something she doesn’t want. I’d far rather she was happy, Vera pet. And you can see yourself that she’s best at anything to do with gardening and growing things. Maybe Kevin’s encouraged her in that way, and happen she could take it further. You can go to college for all sorts of things now, you know; agriculture, farming, gardening and all that.’
    â€˜Yes, maybe that might appeal to her,’ said Vera thoughtfully. ‘I’ve not heard her mention it, though. She just seems set on leaving school and working full time. Anyway, let’s wait and see what sort of results she gets with these O levels.’
    â€˜Yes, that’s all we can do at the moment,’ said Stanley. ‘Now, for goodness’ sake, stop worrying!’
    Debbie had asked questions about her birth mother and Burnside House, not because she was unhappy at home, but because she was just curious. She had always had an inquiring mind, wanting to know the ins and outs of everything. And once she knew she was satisfied then, for a while.
    She knew she was lucky. She had a lovely mum and dad, and she knew she loved them very much, deep down. But she didn’t tell them so, nor was she often openly affectionate with them. They were always there, steady and reliable … if a little bit old-fashioned. They were several years older than the parents of many of her friends.
    She suspected she might even be what some people called ‘spoilt’, because she was an only child; indulged, that was, with regard to material things, but not with regard to behaviour. Her mum and dad would not stand for any nonsense, as they put it. She had to do as she was told and abide by what they said.
    She never went short of anything and got must things that she asked for, within reason. And since her mother had started working part time at a newly opened fancy goods shop on the road leading to Whitesands Bay, there had been rather more money to spend on a few luxuries, such as a fridge, a larger television set, and