The Moors: Some secrets are better left buried by Jody Medland Page B

the wall. I wanted you to work here because, out of all the applicants, you were by far the best suited to this home. I chose you because I felt you would understand why we do things differently here.’
    ‘All I’m saying is…’
    ‘Please!’ interrupted Christian. ‘I have listened to you, and now I ask that you listen to me. You need to make a decision right now. Either you leave the home, with no hard feelings, and return to your life in the city, or you stay here. If you stay, I assure you, you will learn precisely why these rules are in place. This is your choice to make and yours alone, but today, right now, I cannot release David from the room. Nor can I let you inside.’
    Amanda looked down. Her colleagues probably thought she was looking at the floor, but she was looking towards her belly, where she believed her own child lay. It was Sunday. The day she had promised to return home. Tony would be expecting her in the office that evening to report her findings, but she knew that when she saw her man, it would not be the story of the care home that would take precedent. Instead, it would be her turn to act in an uncharacteristically sentimental way. She would tell him that she loved him completely. She would inform him that she was carrying his baby and then they would go to bed and make love. It would be the beginning of their new life together; a future that had been destined all along.
    Amanda had visited the home and stayed for three days as intended, and despite learning of some unorthodox methods, there was no stonewall evidence that the abuse the children had suffered came from the carers. Christian had given her the out she needed to walk away without suspicion… but there was something about the way he had just spoken.
    “ If you stay, I assure you, you will learn precisely why these rules are in place .”
    Whatever did that mean? It was the most peculiar way he could have phrased it and, as with so many other facts regarding the home, she felt there was something just beneath the surface that, if she scratched just a little deeper, could lead to something of real significance.
    She loved Tony. She knew that now and if she was true to him their love would last a lifetime. Therefore, what harm could a couple more days do?
    ‘I don’t care if it happens inside or outside of that room, but I want to meet David tomorrow. I’ve told you my reasons. Promise me that and I’ll stay,’ Amanda bargained.
    Karen scoffed in the background.
    Margaret frowned at Karen’s reaction as she held onto the hope Amanda had done enough to bring her son to his senses. As a silence ensued, Karen’s smug expression morphed into one of discomfort.
    ‘You can’t be considering this?’ Karen hissed.
    ‘Would you just be quiet?’ said Christian, shedding a little of his own false skin.
    He looked back to Amanda and offered a hearty smile.
    ‘I promise. Tomorrow you can meet David.’
     
     

CHAPTER TEN
Testing Borders
Sunday 13 th February, 1972
     
    Amanda waltzed around the kitchen, adding creative touches to dinner as though she had been there for many years. Suddenly, she felt optimistic about her efforts making a difference towards the children within the house. No longer was Margaret the only one who lightened their mood. Instead, it had become a burden both women shared and this was a reality in which they revelled.
    She pulled a block of cheese out of the fridge and then flipped open a couple of cupboards to retrieve a small grater and a large oven-proof dish. Tonight, she would make her special cauliflower cheese to accompany the roast chicken dinner both she and Margaret were preparing. Amanda had learnt how to cook when she was young on account of largely having to look after herself, but she never thought she’d enjoy the kitchen as much as she did at that moment. She looked up to notice Margaret staring at her; her usual grin replaced with a sullen expression.
    ‘What’s wrong?’ asked