“You said Edith moved me.”
Margaret looked at her.
“She did.”
“She said you asked for me to be removed.”
Margaret’s hand flattened against the table.
“No.”
“She said I was too difficult.”
“No.”
“She said you told her you couldn’t handle me anymore.”
“No.”
“She said—”
“Claire.”
Margaret’s voice carried enough force to stop her.
“I never asked them to move you.”
Claire stared at her.
Margaret stood.
Her legs trembled, but she ignored them.
“I went to work on a Thursday morning. You had cereal because I had an early shift. I told you I’d make eggs when I got home.”
Claire’s eyes filled.
“You promised.”
“Yes.”
“You said you’d be back before three.”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t come.”
“I came home at two thirty.”
Claire’s breathing changed.
“There was nobody here.”
Margaret nodded.
“They had already taken you.”
“To Edith.”
“No.”
Claire frowned.
“What?”
“Edith was your caseworker.”
“I know.”
“She took you to another placement.”
Claire’s face tightened.
“She told me you called her.”
“I did call her.”
Claire went still.
