Book description
Cathy Glass, the no. 1 bestselling author of Damaged, tells the story
of the Alice, a young and vulnerable girl who is desperate to return
home to her mother.
Alice, aged four, is snatched by her mother the day she is due to
arrive at Cathy's house. Drug-dependent and mentally ill, but desperate
to keep hold of her daughter, Alice's mother snatches her from her
parents' house and disappears.
Cathy spends three anxious days worrying about her whereabouts before
Alice is found safe, but traumatised. Alice is like a little doll, so
young and vulnerable, and she immediately finds her place in the heart
of Cathy's family. She talks openly about her mummy, who she dearly
loves, and how happy she was living with her maternal grandparents
before she was put into care. Alice has clearly been very well looked
after and Cathy can't understand why she couldn't stay with her grandparents.
It emerges that Alice's grandparents are considered too old (they are
in their early sixties) and that the plan is that Alice will stay with
Cathy for a month before moving to live with her father and his new
wife. The grandparents are distraught - Alice has never known her
father, and her grandparents claim he is a violent drug dealer.
Desperate to help Alice find the happy home she deserves, Cathy's
parenting skills are tested in many new ways. Finally questions are
asked about Alice's father suitability, and his true colours begin to
emerge. Reviews for 'Damaged':
'Cannot fail to move those who read it.' Adoption-net
'Heartbreaking.' The Mirror
'A truly harrowing read that made me cry.' The Sun
'A true tale of hope. ****.' OK!
'Foster carers rarely get the praise they deserve, but Cathy Glass's
book should change all that.****' First Magazine
'A hugely touching and emotional true tale.' Star Magazine Cathy has
been a foster carer for over 20 years, during which time she has looked
after more than 70 children, of all ages and backgrounds. Cathy runs
training courses on fostering for her local Social Services, and helps
draft new fostering procedures and guidelines. She has three teenage
children of her own; one of whom was adopted after a long-term foster
placement. The name Cathy Glass is a pseudonym.
