Part Five

The Lodge had made its mark. Probably not in the best way, but it bred a certain resolve in Darcy’s heart.

Darcy promised herself that she would not end up like the girls and women of The Lodge. She would be smarter than they were. She would do things differently. There would be no criminal lifestyle for her. Nobody was going to ignore her or incarcerate her ever again. 

She kept a low profile at home number nine and worked hard to catch up on her school work, which had been missed at The Lodge. She still slipped out at night to mix with the ‘normal’ people but she was better at it now. She had learned some very useful tricks at that Lodge.

The following year, Darcy did well in her mock exams and found herself a place in college, ready for when she finished her final school year ... but  another failing in the childcare system was about to trip her up once more.

When Darcy reached the age of fifteen she was told that she must prepare to find a job. She would not be allowed to stay in school or go to college because she would be 16 before the years end, and the children’s homes did not cater for over 16’s. Darcy was to be moved on again, this time to a private hostel ...and for that she needed a job.

Frustration borne of hopeless dreams

and battles fought with no reprieve

brings forth a certain hesitance

To strive for what our hearts believe

With ease, our schemes fall by the way

For they’ll not be fulfilled today

 
Morale, in tatters, takes a dive

Disconsolate, the spirit bowed

But head held high with dead-pan face

Allows the wounded to stand proud

When best laid plans of mice and men

Are quashed, then they must think again

 
Step out, determined and resolve

To free the bird from traps and ties

Shrug off the confinement of ‘care’

Rebel and see how this bird flies

Draw inner grit, be brave and bold

A brand new world can now unfold

The following spring, Darcy found herself a job at a local Hotel, as a waitress. Her life in the stagnant environment of the homes was at an end.