Gracie Rose | tracy beaker returns {on hiatus}

20

A FEW DAYS LATER

Finally, we'd got the call to say that we were all able to go home. I was super excited. I'd had hardly any sleep and hadn't eaten very much either, so to be going home was amazing. Thanks to Tracy's magnificent article, the budget cuts were gone and everything was going to be back to normal. Well, almost everything.

I packed up all of my things into my suitcase and other bags before getting ready for the day. I couldn't wait to see everyone again, and hopefully they'd be excited to see me too. I put on a long sleeved maroon coloured shirt and some leggings, before putting on my grey zip up jacket and Adidas trainers. I left my hair down and headed to the living room.

"Is everything packed up?" asked Benjamin. I nodded and smiled at him. Mark was on his way to collect me to take me back to ElmTree, and I couldn't wait.

"Thank you for looking after me, and sorry if I've been a pain." I said.

"You haven't been a pain. You've been perfectly behaved. You're very welcome, I'm sure I'll see you soon, but not for any reason like this I hope! I hope everything goes well back at home, and your friend gets better soon." Benjamin said. Just then, Mark honked his horn so we went outside to see him. He put my things into the boot of the car and thanked Benjamin, before getting in the car and heading home. I waved back at Benjamin who was waving at me when we left, and got out my phone to find a message from Liam.

Are you on your way back? I snuck through the back so have been here since before Gina unlocked it. Lily's coming out of hospital today so Tracy will probably bring her. See you soon!! :)

That made me smile, and I replied back with,

Yeah I'm on my way back now. Been stuck with a therapist the whole time so it hasn't been great. Hardly ate, hardly slept, so I'm a bit of a mess really, but I'm on my way. Glad Lily is alright. See you soon, can't wait to see you all :)

"Was that alright then?" Mark asked me.

"Yeah it was alright." I replied. I didn't want to tell him how I really felt.

When we pulled up at home, another social worker was just leaving. Everything was just as we left it, and nothing was any different at all. I got out of the car, and looked straight up at the roof while Mark got my bags out the boot. He noticed me looking there and pulled me away.

"Don't remind yourself. Let's go inside."

He wrapped his arm around me and led me inside. Gina was standing in front of the office, waiting to greet everyone. When she saw me, a big smile came to her face.

"Gracie! My darling, come here!" Gina said. I ran into her arms and gave her a hug.

"I'm so happy to see you," I said.

"Me too. I'll take your things upstairs for you." Gina replied. She helped me with my things and left me to unpack. I walked into my room, and when Gina left, I just lay down on the bed and instantly fell asleep.

*****

I woke up a few hours later to a text from Tracy.

I'm downstairs, so when you're awake you can come down and say hi. Tracy xxxxx

I got out of bed with a smile and slowly walked downstairs, until I saw Tracy, so I began to run. She was so happy when she saw me and I ran up to her and jumped into her arms.

"I've missed you so much," I said, almost in tears.

"I've missed you too! Shall we go and talk in the quiet room?" Tracy asked. I agreed, and she put me down before walking to the quiet room.