Free Broken by Ilsa Evans Page A

left was a window with a sliding glass panel set into it and a sign above reading Community Advisory Centre, with a smaller sign underneath instructing people to ‘Ring if Unattended’. There was a silver bell sitting on the narrow window ledge.
    As soon as she walked over, Mattie could see there was no need to use the bell as the office was occupied by a woman currently on the phone. She was large and middle-aged, with copper-tipped brown hair cut in a severe bob that contrasted oddly with the softness of her rounded features. She noticed Mattie standing at the window and smiled, rolling her eyes to indicate that she was trying to wind up the call. While waiting Mattie occupied herself by reading some of the notices on the board ahead. Next to Ben’s ‘missing’ poster was a notice from Tamara offering her babysitting services and another from Wendy detailing her house-cleaning skills. After a minute or so, the woman in the office hung up the phone and came over to the window, sliding back the glass panel with the rattling sound of ballbearings rolling smoothly.
    â€˜Sorry ‘bout that.’ She folded her arms on the inside ledge and rested her ample bosom on them, smiling cheerfully at Mattie. ‘My name’s Beryl. How can I help you?’
    â€˜Well, I’ve just, um-well, ended up with more spare time on my hands than usual and I thought I’d like to do, maybe some voluntary work or something?’
    â€˜That’s excellent!’ said Beryl enthusiastically. ‘We always need more volunteers. And there’s
heaps
of different things you can do. Did you have anything particular in mind?’
    â€˜Not really.’ Mattie glanced around for inspiration. ‘Um, what about what you’re doing? Is that voluntary?’
    â€˜Absolutely! And you’d be more than welcome, that’s for sure. Now,you’d need to do a course in community service but it’s great fun. You’ll enjoy it. And you get a diploma too! It’s a proper course, y’know. Accredited.’
    â€˜How long does it go for?’ asked Mattie a bit doubtfully.
    â€˜Only a couple o’ months. And you don’t go every day Here, I’ll get you the paperwork and you can have a good gander at home.’ Beryl hoisted herself away from the ledge and ambled over to a filing cabinet, the middle drawer of which was already open with a stack of papers piled precariously on top. Beryl rummaged through the pile, grunting with success when she located what she was after. She came back over to the window and passed a couple of stapled A4 pages through to Mattie. ‘There you go then. That’ll tell you all you need to know. But mind you don’t give up on the idea if you don’t think this is what you’re after, because there’s all sorts of other things. Meals on Wheels, literacy programs, reading to the elderly. And much more.’
    â€˜Thanks.’ Mattie smiled her appreciation as she folded the paper in half.
    â€˜But y’know, just between you and me –’ Beryl leant forward conspiratorially – ‘I reckon this here’s one of the best. You get to meet some real interesting types.’
    â€˜What sort of things do you do?’ asked Mattie curiously.
    â€˜Oh, you name it! Lots of people come in off the street, like you, asking about sports around here, or clubs they can join. Stuff like that. We also get a lot o’ council queries, and complaints too! Then there’s the phone! Never stops!’
    â€˜People ring up then?’ prompted Mattie, reluctant to end the discussion.
    â€˜All the time. Some real sad cases. Lonely people – we’ve got a few regulars. They know who’s on when and they’ve got their favourites. Then there’s the shy ones. And the desperate. They’re the worst of all. No money, or food.’
    â€˜What do you do for them?’
    â€˜We put most of those onto the