‘Your daughter has recently taken over the role of the craft tutor. It’s something she enjoys doing and in which she demonstrates a natural ability. It requires patience and leadership skills, both of which she has in abundance. I believe this is just the sort of positive, reaffirming environment Kellie could benefit from and she’s keen to stay. To pull her away now would be a step backwards, in my opinion. Her confidence is growing daily and I’m proud to be working alongside her.’

Mr Preston snorts. ‘I bet you are. Living there for bed and board with no salary is slave labour. Kellie needs looking after and pretending she’s fit to help other people is a big mistake.’

If I’m horrified by that remark, how must Kellie feel? I can’t even look at her because I’m so angry. ‘That sort of negative attitude is precisely why Kellie’s confidence dropped to such a low level. Desperation results in people acting out of character and Kellie’s reaction demonstrated how unhappy she was at the time. Here, she’s in a very supportive and positive environment, and now she’s teaching other people a whole range of creative hobbies. That’s some achievement, Mr and Mrs Preston, and if you don’t believe me, then you are very welcome to come here and witness it for yourselves.’

That changes everything.

‘Oh, I can’t possibly get away from work to head off to France with Christmas looming,’ Mr Preston says sternly. ‘This is all nonsense and we should never have agreed to her leaving the UK in the first place.’

Kellie’s eyes flash. ‘I’m happy here. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?’

Her mother leans towards the screen, finally she has something to say.

‘Happy is good, my love, but you’re being used. They don’t care about you, or your situation.’

I glance at Kellie and she looks ready to burst into tears. No wonder her life is a total mess. Sorry, was a total mess. Suddenly, her head jerks back.

‘I’m old enough now to get married and pretty much do what I like. What I want is to stay here. I’m right, aren’t I, Fern?’

Well, that’s a surprise.

‘Yes. You are officially an adult, Kellie. It’s not always easy for parents to get used to that fact and let go, but you are a free agent.’

Mr Preston almost chokes as his words erupt, vehemently. ‘Are you a fool, Kellie? Cheap labour, that’s all this is – you work for a bed and three meals a day. It’s shameful!’

I reach out to restrain Kellie as she moves to stand, and presumably flee.