Emmie 10

After scrambled eggs on toast for three, Jenny went home and said she would come back on Wednesday. She had a part time job at the local Spar on Tuesday and she would come round on the scooter. She did not want to do anything out of the ordinary as members of Yasmin's family could call. There was also Jenny's mum and dad to take into consideration. They would be back on Wednesday, with that off she went.

Yasmin had neatly laid out all her things, mainly jeans and tops with a selection of smalls which Emmie said could go in the wash tomorrow. Yasmin could take care of that herself while Emmie was at work. Yasmin had laid out her documents for Emmie to check. She taken time to gather them together bit by bit; her birth certificate, passport, GCSE certificate and her offer of a place at a northern university. She explained that had been planning her escape for months. She had had enough of her father's slaps and her mother's helpless tears. She knew that they would be absolutely upset and doubly furious for her dishonouring the family.She had received a hard time when her father heard that she had not worn her hijab at school. As she said this her face set into a firm, almost hard line and then softened into tears.  Emmie patted her hand and told her that she was now safe and to try to  get a good night's sleep.

From here the story becomes rather fragmented.  Emmie waited until after the mid morning break to have a word with Dorothy who was about to have coffee with the deputy head pastoral who dealt with girl issues. She was well aware of the difficulties some Asian girls had. Yasmin was lucky to get the time to take her A levels. Usually they disappeared leaving empty chairs in final year groups with no reasons given. The problem would arise if she got her grades and had her first choice of university. Then she could be traced and the parents could target the school with an official complaint. The results would have to be posted to her home address but a copy could be given to the friend. She advised Emmie to make no contact with the school and leave it up to Jenny .

Jenny went into school on Tuesday morning to see Mrs Evans. She explained the situation and described the development so far.  Mrs Evans said she would consult the head at Fairbarn School to see what could be done when the results were out. In the meantime she would go to Chapel Walk and talk to Yasmin herself. She would have to tell the Head because   Yasmin's father had been up to school to find out if anything was known about the whereabouts of his daughter but as all her classmates had now left there there was no information available. He had already questioned some of her known friends but they said that they knew nothing. Jenny knew that they would not say anything. They knew the score.

Mrs Evans saw the Head at lunch and explained the situation. He said it would be best if he knew no more about it, apart from the fact that she had gone missing from home and was presumed to be staying with a friend. He said he would leave any other details to Mrs Evans and that she was quite at liberty to take a copy of the exam results. 

Dorothy spent a good deal of time that morning ringing round  social services and educational welfare. Emmie was kept out of it as she was too easily traceable. They had little help to offer but suggested some voluntary groups, mainly outside the area, who provided shelter to victims of abuse and they might know of a group who had a special interest in problems from the sub-continent. It might be best to care for the girl in he time before she went to university as long as there was no chance of abuse. Dorothy said that she could vouch for the placement and social services left it at that. Fortunately Dorothy had the confidence of Social Services through many dealings with various problem cases over the years as school secretary. 

At the end of the day Emmie had been fully informed and went home to give  Yasmin the update. Just as  an afterthought as she was leaving she picked up a blue exercise book checked with Dorothy and popped it into the  famous brocade bag. It might be useful to jot down a few of the arrangements for future reference if circumstance demanded. It would be useful as evidence if anything untoward happened. A little voice in  her head said, "Emmie you  do right !" and she walked out into the July sunshine with a smile on her face and determination in her step. 

" She  must make an appointment at the hairdressers and get that girl's hair  cut. That shoulder length hair was a real giveaway. A short bob cut would really help as a disguise. We  must guard against recognition and choose places to be seen carefully."  With these  thoughts occupying her mind, she suddenly found  that she had walked past the bus stop and did a quick about turn. She noted that nobody had seemed to notice. At least she had not missed the bus.


JL August 18. 16:08