Sloan exhaled slowly, her fingers briefly tightening on the edge of the desk.
Control. She had control here.
Even if she had none at home.
***
By 4.30, Sloan was already packed and heading out of her office.
"I'll be at home. You can divert my office phone to my mobile," she said to Dawn as she exited her office and closed the door.
"Of course, Ms Slater." Dawn smiled, surprised her boss was leaving a bit early.
She was almost into the hallway when she stopped and retreated. "Did anyone call the office regarding my mother?"
Dawn shook her head. "No. If they had, I would have passed that message on."
"Yes, of course." Sloan smiled, only slightly relieved. "Okay, well, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Have a good evening, Ms Slater."
This time, Sloan continued down the corridor and towards the lift. She checked her phone—no messages. Into the lift, out of the lift, and checked her phone again—still no messages.
She made it home in no time. The phone had stayed silent all day, which should have felt like a relief. Instead, Sloan felt unstable, uninformed, and was dreading what she might find when she got inside. A first placement never passed without someone ringing—a carer checking in, her mother fussing, the agency covering itself. She pulled the Saab into the drive and watched the house. All appearednormal. It was ten to five, and a bit earlier than Matty or Gloria were expecting her to return.
When she opened the front door, she could hear the TV.Countdownwas on. As she shrugged off her jacket and hung it, the theme tune drifted down the hall along with the smell of something good.
"Joan, is that you?" her mother's voice rang out.
"Yes, Mother. And it’s Sloan." She sighed and walked into the lounge where her mother was sitting in her usual seat.
Gloria glanced at her quickly but ignored her correction.
From behind her, Matty said, "Oh, you're back early."
"You insisted on five," Sloan said, turning to find Matty wearing her mother's apron, hair tied up with a scruffy bit of fabric.
"Gosh, is it that time already?" Matty laughed. "Well, then." She repeated the movements from Saturday when she'd untied the apron in the café, only this time, she didn't throw it at anyone. "Dinner is in the oven. Gloria fancied toad-in-the-hole, so that’s what you’ve got—sausages, batter, the lot. Mash and broccoli on the side. There's enough for you both. Gravy just needs warming through." She handed the apron to Sloan. "See you tomorrow, Mrs S."
Sloan followed her into the hallway and watched as she pulled on the skates.
"So...how did it go?"
"All fine. I mean, she's a nightmare, you're right about that, but..." Matty shrugged. "I listened, then I ignored her and did what needed doing."
"You...ignored her?"
Matty laughed at Sloan’s bewildered face. "I just listened to her demands, then did what was best without further discussion."
"And she didn't throw anything?"
"Throw anything?" Matty looked sincerely shocked at the idea, but then she laughed again. "Only the toast. She complained a lot…tried to insult me often. I'm not sure laughing at that stuff went down well, but... Anyway, she demanded to watchCountdown, so I gave her back the remote."
"You gave her back... Did she throw it at you?"
Matty continued to laugh. "No, why would she? Okay, don't get mad… I confiscated it."
"Youconfiscated the remote?"
