I congratulated Donna again, and thanked Beth Adams. It was the best news I'd had all day, and also proved that with time and a lot of hard work Donna could learn as well as anyone. I thought that Beth Adams was going to have to readjust her expectations of what Donna could achieve, for if this was an indication of what Donna was capable of, then she had only just begun!

That evening when Donna was in the bath I told Paula and Adrian that I needed to talk to them. Without making a big issue of it, and thereby hopefully minimising their disappointment, I told them that unfortunately their father had had to postpone his visit planned for the following Sunday. Paula didn't say anything, which didn't surprise me, for if I was honest she had less of a bond with her father than Adrian did; she'd been only three when John had left and didn't remember a time when he'd lived with us. Adrian had been seven, and remembered a different family where his father had been present, and perhaps also because he was a boy, he had suffered more when his father had suddenly gone. Predictably, now Adrian was the one who made the comment 'What is more important than seeing us?' And as I was put in the position of having to defend my ex for the sake of Adrian maintaining a positive image of his father, I felt that familiar stab of irritation.

'He didn't say exactly why he couldn't come,' I said. 'But he made a special point of asking me to tell you that he is sorry. And that he misses you both and loves you very much.' Which softened the blow a little, as it had done in the past when he'd postponed a visit. I moved swiftly on. 'I'm afraid there is another piece of disappointing news,' I said. 'And I'm going to need your help on this one. Both of you.' They looked at me questioningly. 'It's not about your father,' I added quickly. 'But I have learnt this afternoon that Donna's brothers won't be coming to her party.'

'Why?' they asked together.

'It's something to do with her mother,' I hedged.

'What?' Adrian said. 'We'll look after them if that's what she's worried about.'

I wish, I thought. 'No, I'm afraid it's more to do with the bad way she treated Donna at home, and her not wanting Donna to have a good time.'

'That's horrible,' Paula said.

'It won't be much of a party if no one's coming,' Adrian said. 'I had twelve at mine.'

'I know, love. And that is why I'm going to need your help. I'm not going to say anything to Donna yet: I'm still hoping her brothers' carers can persuade them to change their minds. But if they can't, then the three of us and Emily must make sure Donna has a wonderful time. I'm sure we can do it.'

Paula nodded and Adrian said, 'I could ask some of my friends to come?'

I smiled. 'That's sweet of you, and I had thought of that, but I don't think it will be the same for Donna. She doesn't really know them, does she?'

'But why doesn't Donna's mum want her to have a good time?' Paula asked, her nave and unsullied innocence making it impossible for her to grasp the concept of such nastiness from a mother to a daughter.

'Donna's mother treated Donna very badly,' I said, 'which is why she came into care. I think she's still trying to do it from a distance. By making her feel rejected and unloved.'

'I love Donna,' Paula said, looking very sad, and my heart gave that little lurch. 'We'll make sure she has a good time. You don't need lots of people. It's the ones close to you who count.'

'Exactly,' I said, smiling at Paula. 'I couldn't have put it better myself.'

Over the weekend, when we weren't learning the four times table, Adrian and Paula paid Donna extra attention, and went out of their way to talk to her and suggest games she might like to join in. They clearly felt the rejection that Donna would be feeling if her brothers didn't change their minds and come to the party. It was at times like this that I was most proud of Adrian and Paula: I was always proud of them, but the tenderness and concern they showed for Donna highlighted their empathy and insight into Donna's plight, feeling as most children from normal families would have done. However, in making these friendly advances towards Donna, Paula and Adrian had left themselves wide open, and I had to remind Donna a few times over the weekend not to try to boss Adrian and Paula or discipline them. It wasn't Donna's fault; she was simply reverting to the example of how her family had treated her in the previous ten years. Adrian and Paula, now more aware of what Donna had been through, and with her party looming, were even more forgiving.

By 12.00 noon on Sunday, when I hadn't heard anything from Mary and Ray, I had to finally admit that Warren and Jason wouldn't be coming, and I braced myself to tell Donna.

She was in her bedroom, already sorting through her wardrobe of clothes, trying to choose what to wear for the party, although there was plenty of time - we didn't have to get ready until 1.00 p.m. at the earliest, to leave the house at 2.00. Her bedroom door was open and, giving my usual knock, I went in. Donna turned to look at me, new trousers in one hand and pink sweatshirt in the other.

'I think I'll wear these,' she said, holding them up. 'I was going to wear a skirt. But when I bend over to bowl I might show my knickers in a skirt.' She gave a small laugh.

'I think that's a good choice, and you haven't worn either of them yet. It's nice to wear something new for a party.' I hesitated, as Donna again looked at the clothes, clearly considering if this was going to be her final decision. Best get on with what I had to say, I thought. 'Donna, I'm afraid that Warren and Jason won't be coming today, so you'll celebrate your birthday with them tomorrow at contact.'

She moved towards the wardrobe and looked in again. 'No, I will wear these. I'm not going to change my mind again,' she said.

'I think they are fine,' I said again, and paused. 'Donna, did you hear what I said, love? The boys can't make it this afternoon.'

'I heard. I expect Mum told them not to come.'

I was taken aback, and also quietly relieved that I'd been saved the awful job of telling her the reason, although I wasn't going to make it worse by confirming it with detail. 'It's possible.' I said. 'Mary doesn't know for sure.' I paused, waiting for some kind of reaction as the information sunk in.

'It's their loss,' she said after a moment. 'They are the ones missing out, not me.' And so saying, Donna put the clothes she had chosen on her bed and closed the wardrobe door. 'Will you help me do my hair when I've changed? I want it to look nice for the party.'

'Of course, love,' I said. 'Give me a shout when you're ready. We'll use those new hair braids I bought, shall we?'

She nodded, her face lighting up.

'Come here and give me a hug,' I said. 'You're a lovely person.'

She came over and I put my arms round her and gave her a big hug. For the first time since she had arrived I felt her arms tighten around my waist as she returned it. After a moment she eased away. 'I'm going to get changed now,' she said. 'I'm so excited. This is going to be my best birthday ever! Thanks for giving me the party, Cathy. I can't wait to get there!'

I smiled, and felt my eyes well. 'You're welcome, love.'

While I had spent the entire weekend angsting over our depleted numbers, aware how Adrian and Paula would have felt if they'd been in Donna's position with having only one friend and us attend, Donna, bless her, having never had a birthday party before and therefore having no expectations, had simply accepted the non-attendance of her brothers in her usual stoical manner.

I left Donna to change and went downstairs.

'Donna's fine,' I said to Adrian and Paula, who were in the lounge looking very concerned, aware that I had gone upstairs to break the 'bad' news.

'Good on her!' Adrian said.

'I told you,' Paula said. 'It's not how many who go to your party, but who.'

I nodded, and hugged them both, my spirits lighter than they had been since I'd received the news on Friday. And as I acknowledged the sensible rationale of all three children, I felt that as an adult I could probably learn a lot from them.

By 1.45 p.m. the four of us were changed into our party best and in the hall ready to leave. I had braided Donna's hair; she'd inherited dark brown and slightly curly hair from her father and with the new braids she looked very pretty. I arranged the children in a semi-circle in the hall and took a photograph of them before we left, and then another as they got into the car. I wanted a record of Donna's party and birthday; there would be a copy for her and one for my alb.u.m. I had no idea if Donna would be with us for her next birthday; that would depend on the outcome of the court case.

I took another photograph of the three children going into the bowling alley, and then two more as we went inside. Adrian was getting embarra.s.sed by now - having to stand still and pose between the girls. It was 2.15 p.m., but we weren't the only ones who had arrived early, for as I tucked my camera into my handbag Emily appeared with her mother.

'Happy birthday!' Mandy called as they came over. Donna smiled sheepishly. 'You look nice, all of you.' Mandy had met Paula and Adrian in the playground on the occasions when they had come into the school with me.

Emily gave Donna a small box-shaped present, gaily wrapped and tied with ribbon. 'Happy birthday,' she said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

'Thanks,' Donna said. She took the present and then held it as if it was the first one she'd ever received in her life, which it might well have been. She would be having her presents from us on her actual birthday the following morning.

Emily and Donna began chatting and laughing excitedly, glancing at the bowling lanes and pointing. It was lovely to see Donna so relaxed, and happy, and with her friend.

'There's just going to be us,' I said quietly to Mandy. 'Donna's brothers can't come.'

'Oh dear,' she said. 'That's a pity, but I'm sure Donna will have a good time. Emily hasn't stopped talking about this party all weekend. She was changed and ready by twelve thirty.'

I laughed. 'Same with Donna.' And we both glanced at the girls, giggling and whispering excitedly. 'Emily must come to tea, if she feels ready now,' I said, renewing my invitation.

'Yes, I'm sure she'll be fine now,' Mandy said. 'And Donna must come to us too. We'll arrange something next week.' Mandy confirmed she would return to collect Emily at 5.30 p.m., and we said goodbye. 'Have a lovely time!' she called to the children as she left, and Emily gave a little wave.

Leaving the children in a small group, I went over to the reception desk a couple of yards away and gave my name. 'I've booked for seven including me,' I said. 'But there will only be five of us, four children. Unfortunately two can't come.'

'No problem,' the girl on reception said. 'I'll introduce you to your party organiser. Lisa,' she called to a girl who was tidying the bowling shoes at the far end of reception. 'Lisa, this is Cathy Gla.s.s,' she introduced. 'The party is for Donna, who will be eleven.'

Lisa smiled brightly at me. She was about eighteen and had a light and fun manner. 'Is everyone here?' she said glancing at the clock. 'Because if so we can make a start.'

'Yes, unfortunately two children can't come,' I confirmed again.

'So it's four children and yourself ?'

'That's right.'

'We'll have lots of fun. First we'll bowl, and then we'll have some games, then the party tea and then another game of bowling. How does that sound?'

'Sounds good to me,' I said.

'If you could bring the children over, I'll sort out their bowling shoes first.'

I waved to the children to come over, and they ran to my side; from then on Lisa took charge, and I did as I was told. She asked us what shoe size we were and handed us each a pair of bowling shoes, storing our own shoes in a rack at the end of the reception area. Then she gave us each a large name badge. It was about three inches across and decorated with pictures of multi-coloured balloons, with the name of the person printed in red in the centre. As Lisa led us over to lane twenty, which was set aside for the party, my anxieties about Donna having less than the best party finally evaporated. Large balloons in every colour imaginable hung in bunches from the ceiling the entire length of the bowling lane, and a ma.s.sive banner declaring 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' stretched from one side to the other.

'Look!' Donna exclaimed as we approached the lane. 'That's for me!'

'It is,' Lisa said, 'especially for you! It's your special day.'

We grouped at the end of the lane as Lisa gave us a brief talk on how to bowl safely - that is, without dropping the bowl on our toes, falling over it or getting our fingers stuck in the holes. 'I hope you're listening to this,' Adrian said to me with a laugh.

Then, with Donna naturally going first, we began the game. There was a lot of cheering and jumping up and down as Donna's ball swerved and rolled down the lane towards its target, knocking three pins over with the first ball and two with the second. Emily went next, then Adrian and Paula, and I went last. And it was pure fluke, for I am the world's worst at bowling, but somehow my ball went on target (probably helped by the sides being up), and I scored nine with my first ball and then felled the tenth with my second. Everyone clapped and cheered, and Adrian good-humouredly yelled, 'Fixed!'

Lisa didn't bowl but gave an exciting running commentary as we took our turns, and also helped Paula, who was struggling, even with the lighter children's ball. Our excitement grew as the game continued and the scores mounted on the display board, until there was only a few points' difference between the two leaders - Donna and Adrian. I saw the family who were playing on the lane next to ours glance across; so too did Donna, and she beamed. Possibly for the first time in her life she was the centre of attention in a positive way, and she was loving every minute of it. And while Adrian was the stronger bowler (having had lots of practice in the past) I noticed that his skill suddenly fell away with the final round, so that Donna was the winner. 'That was nice of you,' I said quietly, and he shrugged with a boy's embarra.s.sment. In truth, though, I didn't think it would have mattered to Donna whether she won or lost, for the whole experience was so new and exciting to her, it was a winner in itself.

After we had congratulated Donna on her win, Lisa led us through to the party room for drinks and some games. The party room was gaily decorated with a large mural of clowns running round the walls, more bunches of balloons and another large 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' banner strung across the ceiling. We played musical chairs and then various guessing games, designed to quieten the children down before their tea. Tea was a choice of pizza, chicken nuggets or burger, all with chips; then there was jelly and ice cream - as much as anyone could eat - and a birthday cake with eleven candles. I had bought another birthday cake to have at home on Donna's actual birthday the following day.

We finished with another game of bowling, which Donna won again; then Mandy arrived to collect Emily, and Lisa gave all the children a party bag. I thanked Lisa for all she had done and tipped her 5. She wasn't going to accept it to begin with, but I insisted. 'You've made the party a great success,' I said. 'I'm very grateful. Thank you.'

We exchanged our bowling shoes for our own and, with more thanks, finally said goodbye to Lisa. Outside I reminded Donna to thank Emily and Mandy for the present; she was still clutching it protectively and had carried it everywhere with her, only putting it down to bowl and eat her tea. She hadn't yet opened it, wanting to save it for her actual birthday. 'Thanks,' I added to Donna's, as we said goodbye to Emily and Mandy in the car park outside.

There was silence in the car as I drove us home and also, I thought, a small anti-climax as happens at the end of a good time. Donna was sitting with Emily's present cupped on her lap, and as I glanced in the rear-view mirror I saw Paula rest her head on Donna's shoulder and begin to doze.

That night I said everyone had to be in bed exactly at their bedtimes, as I would wake them early so that Donna had time to open her presents in the morning before we went to school. All three children were asleep within ten minutes of going to bed, exhausted by the day's excitement. Paula had gone to sleep with her thumb in her mouth, Adrian with his book open on his bed and Donna with her hand under her pillow clutching Emily's unopened present.

Chapter Fourteen.

No Dirty Washing

I had been touched by Donna's innocent and accepting pleasure of all aspects of her little party, and I was doubly touched the following morning when she began to open her presents. Before I had gone to bed I had taken her presents into her room and placed them on the floor beside her bed so that she would see them as soon as she woke. There was the bike from me, which I had wrapped in yards and yards of wrapping paper, a cycle helmet from Adrian and Paula, a present from my parents, and another from my brother and his wife; and of course there was the present from Emily, which was still tucked under Donna's pillow.

As soon as I heard Donna stir, I went to her room. 'Happy birthday,' I said, kissing her forehead. I woke Adrian and Paula so that they too could watch Donna open her presents - it was a family tradition that we all grouped around the person's bed on the morning of their birthday to watch them open their presents. This was a whole new experience for Donna and, as I looked at her, I became increasingly convinced that she had never opened presents in her life before.

She stared at the large gift-wrapped frame of the bike. 'I wonder what it is?' she said, not daring to believe her eyes, although its shape made identification pretty obvious.

'You'll have to open it to find out,' I said, encouraging her. Donna appeared to want to savour being surrounded by the brightly wrapped presents and I knew we hadn't got unlimited time - at some point we had to get washed and dressed, ready for school.

Finally Donna sat on the edge of her bed and, sliding Emily's present from under the pillow, she carefully and very slowly began untying the ribbon. She picked off the sticky tape even more slowly, then peeled off the paper, not ripping it off as Adrian and Paula would have done. It was a jeweller's box. 'I wonder what it is,' she said again, and Adrian and Paula watched in awe as she slowly lifted the lid. Donna's eyes widened, and her whole face shone as she looked inside, but didn't remove the gold necklace with a pendant in the shape of the letter D.

'Isn't that lovely?' I said, as Adrian and Paula moved closer for a better look. 'What a beautiful present!' It was very generous of Mandy. Donna gazed at the necklace and touched it, clearly believing that at any second it might disappear.

'Shall I put it over here, while you open the rest?' I said, again mindful of the time. She carefully closed the lid on the box and handed it to me. I placed it on top of the chest of drawers. She gazed at the other presents, finding it impossible to choose which one to open next. 'How about this one?' I suggested, pa.s.sing her the large box from my brother and his wife. Donna was now sitting on the floor, with Adrian and Paula kneeling either side of her. Once again she started picking at the sticky tape; then very slowly and carefully, she unwrapped the present. It was a large boxed compendium of games - Snakes and Ladders, Ludo, playing cards, dice for performing tricks and so on.

'Cor, that looks good,' Adrian said. Donna glowed from being the owner of something valued and admired by Adrian.

She opened the present from my parents next, which I knew was a fashionable denim skirt - my mother had asked me Donna's size and sent the receipt so that Donna could change it if it didn't fit or she didn't like it. There was no need to worry on the last score: her face beamed, and standing, she held it up against herself. 'Just what I always wanted,' she said. Paula and I admired the skirt while Adrian was more interested in Donna opening the next two presents.

'Here,' he said, pa.s.sing her the present from him and Paula. 'It's from us. Happy birthday.'

'Happy birthday,' Paula said.

With the same painstaking precision Donna peeled off the sticky tape and unwrapped the present - a bright pink very fashionable cycle helmet. 'Now I wonder why you have been given that?' I said, smiling.

Donna grinned, and, setting the box on her bed, knelt down and began steadily unwrapping the bike. It had taken me ages to wrap it; I had wound the gift paper around the crossbars and handlebars, and fully over both wheels, so that the whole bike was entirely covered. It took Donna equally long to unwrap it as, trying not to tear the paper, she picked off the sticky tape a little at a time and unwound the paper. Although it had been obvious from the bike's shape what it was even before she'd begun unveiling it, it wasn't until she had completely removed the last piece of paper, folded it, and placed it on top of the pile of other wrapping paper that she allowed her excitement to show.

'Is it mine to keep?' she asked, looking at me.

'Of course, love. All the presents are. You can ride it in the garden after contact tonight. Then at the weekend when we have more time, we'll go to the park for a long ride.' I knew Donna could ride a bike because she'd used an outgrown one of Adrian's in the garden in the summer.

Donna looked wistfully at the bike and then ran her hand over the length of it, almost caressing the shiny metal bars, black leather seat and handlebar covers. The tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs and wheel guards were in two-tone pink and the bike was the latest Raleigh model for girls; I had wanted Donna to have the best. It had a bell on the handlebars, and also a small saddlebag at the back in matching pink.

'And I can keep it for always?' she asked again.

'Yes, love, it's your present. Of course you can keep it. I'm not going to take it back, am I?' I saw her face tighten and register pain.

'Mum gave me a present once,' she said slowly, still running her hands over the bike as if at any moment it might disappear. 'It was a doll.'

'Oh yes?' I said.

'But when it was Ruby's birthday, she was the girl next door, Mum took it back and gave it to Ruby as a present. It was brand new and I never saw it again.'

Adrian and Paula looked at me, absolutely horrified, and I fought to hide my own shock as my eyes misted. 'Donna, the bike is yours to keep, love, as are all the presents. They are yours and only yours. People don't give presents and take them back - well, not nice people, anyway.' Apparently there was no depth Rita hadn't stooped to in order to make Donna feel worthless and unloved. I thought that emotional sadism like this was more hurtful and damaging than any beating: the scars ran deeper and lasted longer. Who knew what else Donna had suffered? She'd said very little really.

Another of our little family traditions is to sing 'happy birthday' in the morning after the presents have been opened, usually to the person's embarra.s.sment. We would sing it again to Donna in the evening when the birthday cake was lit and before she blew out the candles. I now struck up the first note, and Adrian and Paula joined in. It sounded like the alleycats' tea party, but Donna didn't mind. 'Thanks,' she said as we finished (not all at the same time). 'Thanks for giving me a birthday. I've never had a birthday before.'

I think at that point Adrian and Paula realised that what they had enjoyed and had a.s.sumed to be the norm in respect of birthdays clearly wasn't, and unfortunately didn't apply to everyone. It was as much a shock to them as it would have been for the average child, and it served as a stern reminder that even in our country some children are deprived of what we a.s.sume to be a basic ingredient in every child's life.

I had to encourage everyone to get washed, dressed and ready for school, as we were running late. In fact we arrived at Donna's school fifteen minutes late - at 8.30 a.m. instead of 8.15. I went with her into the dining room where the breakfast club was held to explain the reason for our lateness. But there was no need. Miss Warren, who ran the breakfast club, apparently had known it was Donna's birthday and guessed she might be late. 'Happy birthday!' she called in front of all the children as we went in. Donna smiled, embarra.s.sed. I kissed Donna goodbye and told her to have a good day, and pa.s.sed her the carrier bag of variety chocolate bars, which I'd bought for her to give to her cla.s.s to mark her birthday.