Chapter 8: Strings Are There to Be Pulled

FRIDAY

The next day they duly knocked on Mrs Jeffersons door and were invited in. Seated in the lounge having a coffee with the Jeffersons, Mrs Jefferson told them, ‘Something remarkable has happened. Your Criminal Record applications have been returned marked clear.’ Ernie grinned at her, ‘Were you expecting that they wouldn’t be?’ he asked.

‘Oh no, it’s not that,’ she said. ‘The amazing thing is that they are back so soon, it usually takes four to six months.’ ‘That’s good, isn’t it?’ Ernie asked. ‘Oh yes,’ she said, ‘But then there’s something else odd. I send the forms direct to the CRO. So, at this stage, no one in social services should know anything about it.’

‘Yet just before I rang you, my boss rang me to ask you to call in as the local social services chief officer wants to call in to interview you. I’ve never known anything like it happen before.’

‘I’m at a loss,’ Ernie said, ‘But if it speeds things up, we won’t complain.’ ‘I thought I’d invite you earlier so I could put you in the picture,’ she said. ‘Also, I’ve no idea what’s happening, but if by any chance they give approval, do you want Rupert this weekend?’ ‘We’d love it.’ Susan said. Just then the doorbell rang.

Returning shortly, Mrs Jefferson introduced an important official looking man of around fifty. He shook hands with them and sat down. ‘Shall we leave you to it?’ Mrs Jefferson asked. ‘I have no objection to you staying.’ he said looking over at Ernie. ‘Neither have we.’ he told him.

‘This is most unusual,’ he said, ‘But I have had orders from somewhere above at God levels in the Civil Service, to do a personal assessment of you. Mainly your suitability to have one of our charges for overnight stays and holidays with a view to fostering him.’

‘You clearly know someone very high up,’ he said. ‘Not that we are aware of.’ Ernie told him. ‘Can you tell me why you want to foster him?’ he asked. Susan said, ‘Because we love him and want to offer him a home.’

‘Can you tell me how you know him?’ he asked. Ernie told him all about Lewis asking him to give Rupert a lift to see his seriously ill mother. How they had liked him immediately and had taken him out Saturdays and Sundays ever since. ‘We two haven’t long met,’ Ernie said, ‘We are due to get married next weekend.’

‘Is this your first marriage,’ he asked. ‘Yes,’ Ernie said. He explained about his mother and Susan explained about looking after her dad. ‘What affect has all this had on Rupert?’ he asked Mrs Jefferson. ‘He’s extremely happy,’ she said, ‘And it’s obvious that he loves them both. Personally, I think they are ideal together.’

‘I believe you have their CRO notices.’ he said. Mrs Jefferson passed them over. ‘No problem there,’ he said glancing at them. Then as he was about to pass them back, he took another look. ‘This can’t be right,’ he said, ‘These are only dated a couple of weeks ago.’

‘I know,’ Mrs Jefferson said, ‘I was amazed too.’ ‘Mm,’ he said, ‘That is very odd. He took his phone out and rang the number on the certificate. Explaining who he was, he asked for confirmation that the certificates were genuine. He listened saying, ‘Really, who? really? well I never. Well thank you.’ he said as he hung up and looked at Ernie.

‘It’s unheard of for them to come back so soon,’ he said, ‘So I’m afraid my immediate suspicion was that you might have forged them somehow. However, I am assured they are genuine. Also, your records are as clear as the certificates show. I’m not sure I was supposed to be told this.’ he added, ‘But it had evidently created a buzz at their end. Their rapid processing was on a direct instruction from someone in MI5.’

Ernie’s mouth dropped open, ‘I don’t understand,’ he said. ‘I have no connection with MI5.’ ‘Well, you wouldn’t admit that would you,’ the man said with a slight smile. ‘Is your work likely to put Rupert under any risk?’ Ernie opened his mouth to deny it again, then thought better of it. ‘No,’ he said, ‘The only dangerous thing I do is climb a ladder. I only do general maintenance work.’ That’s a true statement he thought to himself.

The man clearly didn’t believe a word of it. ‘Mrs Jefferson,’ he asked, ‘Do you have any opinion on this?’ ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I liked them both immediately. I’ve seen them with Rupert, and I’ve seen Rupert with them. If it was up to me, I’d hand Rupert over tomorrow.’

‘Does Rupert know any of this?’ the man asked. ‘No,’ Ernie said, ‘He calls us uncle and aunt for simplicity, but we didn’t want to raise his hopes in case we weren’t successful in our application to foster.’

‘You thought you might be refused, even with your connections?’ the man said sounding incredulous. ‘Believe me,’ Ernie said, ‘I had no idea anyone at work would get involved.’

‘What time does Rupert arrive home?’ he asked Mrs Jefferson. ‘He’s usually home by now.’ she said looking at her watch. ‘I’d like to meet him.’ he said. At a nod from his wife, Mr Jefferson disappeared. Five minutes later he returned with Rupert in tow.

Seeing Ernie and Susan he ran straight to Susan and hugged her, then to Ernie. Ernie told him, ‘This gentleman would like to talk to you.’ ‘Good afternoon, sir.’ Rupert said. ‘Please sit down, Rupert,’ he said. ‘I’m from Social Services,’ he told him, ‘I have to decide if it’s ok for you to go and stay overnight with your er, your aunt and uncle.’