The best thing about Ruthy staying with the Hodgesons though, as far as I was concerned, was the message Ida Rose sent back to me. Ruthie had written it down carefully in her notebook, so she could relate the old woman’s thinking as accurately as possible. Ida had dictated a letter for me, which I thought showed she was a very serious and respectful person. Ruthy said Ida was very patient, saying a few words slowly in little bundles so Ruthy could get them all down.

Dear Dorcas,

Thank you for sending me an excellent set of questions. I hope you don’t mind, but I don’t always have a lot of breath, so I thought I’d spend it all on the answer to question number six. I suffered from depression most of my life. I use the word ‘suffered’ because it’s a good word to describe how you feel. Life seems desperate and hard and some days you can’t find any light in it. You feel very heavy inside and you don’t always have energy left over to deal with life’s problems or the people around you. I have a feeling from what your sister has told me that your question relates to your mother. If it does, it’s not your fault if she is depressed. It’s something that happens in the chemicals in your body, and it’s not due to naughty children or failing to pray.

Do you know much about the Dorcas of the Bible? She was a good person who helped other people. But did you know she was so good that when she died and they told Peter the Apostle about it, he came to see her body and brought her back to life?

Although it’s not your fault if your mum is very sad, remember Dorcas’s good works, and see if you can help your mother by helping others. Even if the value you bring is for other people and not your mother, she will appreciate it when she comes home and you are all together again, and it will make her proud and happier.

But did you know that Dorcas means gazelle? I think this might be appropriate for you, Dorcas. Gazelles are very adaptable, even if they are living in a desert. They can run very fast, and always keep their heads held high. They make different sounds to signal annoyance and danger. They do this to help keep others safe. So stay adaptable at the Roystons, even if it feels like a desert, keep your brother and sister safe as you have always done, and most of all, keep your head high like the gazelle you are.

Your friend in Jesus,

Ida Rose

CHAPTER 18

Mum didn’t contact us.

She didn’t ring us and she didn’t really write to us, even though Ruthy sent her a letter every week at the same time she posted one to Daniel. In the first three weeks we were apart, we all received one postcard each. It was exactly the same card and said exactly the same thing on the back.