I heard a scuffling outside, I assumed it was a hedgehog, I put my head outside and was looking into the startled face of a child, I estimated around twelve, she was turning over the contents of my dumpster. She froze,

"I didn't mean anything" She said in a flustered voice

"I didn't think anyone was in here this time of day, me and Julie was hungry" she continued

Well I told her that there was no food here only industrial waste, but I invited her in telling her that I could heat some soup in my microwave, she shuffled inside, in a frightened way.

"Don't be scared" I reassured her.

It was then I noticed the little scrap who was with her, a grubby blond child of about six or seven.

The entered and sat, the older girl, Angela, explained that they were orphans, their Mom and Dad died just over a year ago, and they were fostered from the home to a couple, and they were running away. I asked why they would run away, Angela went really quiet, I loved the way that little Julie looked up at her sister with her big innocent eyes, waiting for the older girl to say something.

"Come on, you must tell me if you want me to help you" I said to reassure them.

"Well, they were very bad people" she stammered

"How were they bad?" I asked

"Well, they did bad things to us" The youngster went on "They did thing that mommy and daddy said never to do, George was always feeling up our dresses, and opening our jeans, sometimes Cathy would do it as well, sometimes even they would both do it with us"

......(cont)