‘You need to let them in,’ she said as the door banged harder. She really didn’t want to see this man getting himself into trouble.
‘Daddy,’ Ava called from the hallway.
‘Coming, sweetie. It’s okay,’ he said, pushing back his chair.
Bryant brought Ava into the kitchen and stood with his hands resting gently on her shoulders. A woman in her late fifties followed a terrified-looking Daniel into the kitchen. Behind them was a younger woman in her early thirties who took the time to smile at everyone.
‘Mr Reynolds, I am Gloria Lincoln from child services,’ the older woman said. ‘This is my colleague Deanna Short.’ She glanced at Ava. ‘We need to talk to you about a concern that’s been raised.’
‘I’ve been informed,’ Daniel said, glancing Kim’s way.
‘Then you’ll understand there are certain precautions we need to take.’
The younger woman moved closer to Ava, who broke free of Bryant and ran to her dad. His arms wrapped around her protectively.
‘I’ll co-operate. Ask me anything. Take Ava to another room and talk to her. You’ll see there’s been a mistake.’
Kim wasn’t sure if Daniel knew that wasn’t how it worked or if he was just hoping.
‘We will speak to Ava, but I’m afraid it won’t be here.’ The words were gentle, but the tone was firm.
‘Daddy,’ Ava said, shrinking against his legs.
His face was stricken. ‘Can we just talk about this before…?’
‘I’m sorry, Mr Reynolds, but we have no choice but to remove Ava from the home. We’d appreciate your help in making this as easy on Ava as possible.’
Again, the younger woman moved closer to the child. Kim wanted to prevent what was about to happen, but she was powerless. Her opinion would hold no weight in the face of a formal complaint.
‘Daddy?’ Ava cried as the woman reached for her hand.
Daniel pulled Ava away as tears began to course down both of their faces. Kim wondered how much more heartache this family was supposed to suffer.
Ava turned in to her father, clinging to him.
‘Please, there has to be some way,’ he begged, raising tear-stained eyes to Gloria.
The social worker shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, but Ava has to come with us.’
‘No,’ he cried, dropping to his knees and hugging his child tightly. They sobbed in each other’s arms.
Kim swallowed down the emotion in her throat as she touched Daniel’s shoulder.
‘Let her go,’ she advised. She knew what came next. Not far away were two police officers ready to enforce the separation, and that wouldn’t help either of them.
Reluctantly, he let go of his daughter and wiped his eyes.
‘You go along, Ava. I need you to be a big girl for Daddy. Everything will be okay. It’s just a mistake and we’ll have it sorted in no time. I promise, okay.’
She nodded through her sobs, and this time she allowed the younger woman to take her hand.
‘We’ll need some of her?—’
‘There’s a pink suitcase in the hallway,’ Kim said. ‘Everything she’ll need is in there.’
‘Donkey,’ Daniel exclaimed. ‘She must have Donkey. She won’t sleep without…’
‘I’ll go and make sure,’ Bryant said, following the woman and Ava out the door.
