Lara and her one-year-old son, Arthur, came to live with me during the pandemic. Lara was fleeing an abusive relationship and Arthur had suspected non-accidental injuries. Lara claimed her son was accident prone but the social services had doubts. Suspected non-accidental injuries,’ Joy said, and my heart went out to him. ‘His mother has been struggling for a while. She went to the doctor about herself, but the doctor noticed bruises on the child’s face. He examined the child and found more bruises on his legs and body. His mother is denying harming him and says he is accident-prone.’ Harper Collins have bought World rights in Cathy Glass’s A Dreadful Secret, the story of fourteen-year old Layla who puts herself into foster care because of problems at home. I have two books coming out soon – one by Lisa Stone, The Gathering, out 3rd August, The other a Cathy Glass memoir, Unsafe. 31st August. I hope you enjoy them, x

Thank you for all your support and kind words over the past year. They are much appreciated. One of the reasons I write my books is to try to raise awareness. Happy New Year and best wishes for 2022. Cathy & family. x Collins have bought world rights in Cathy Glass’s latest fostering memoir A Long Way From Home, the story of Anna originally brought up in a state orphanage.Claudette traced some of Lara’s foster carers who of course had kept photos of Lara – digital and paper, so they sent copies of Lara’s time with them. Lara was surprised and touched, especially as the carers said if she ever wanted to meet up they’d be very happy to.

Collins have bought World rights in Cathy Glass’s latest fostering memoir Where has Mummy Gone?, the story of eight-year old Melody. I am delighted to say I am a grandmother three times over now. Lucy and Darren had their second child, a boy, only five days before Adrian and Kirsty had their first child, a girl. All are well. One final thought – History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children. Nelson MandelaVery true to life: A really nice story that is very true to life. I love the way Cathy is so helpful, kind and understanding."

Tao formerly lived in Nigeria, but was kidnapped by his mother and taken to the UK illegally. To help support her debauched life of drinking, and drugs, his abusive mother was a prostitute. The mother cast Tayo out onto the streets after he sustained an injury and was no longer able to earn money for the woman. Based on the horrors that he suffered on the streets of Central London, Glass wrote that she had never met a child that showed the kind of strength as Tayo. He had the kind of inner resolve that she had never seen before. Continued Success Initially I thought all her stories were true, and very much set in the past. However her writing is now describing fostering during the pandemic, so I feel like these stories cannot possibly be true, and how horrid for the fostered individuals to have their dirty laundry aired in such a way.

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

It was the end of October. My previous foster children had just left and I was anticipating a few days, maybe even a week, child-free, when I hoped to be able to wind down after a rather traumatic year fostering during the pandemic. I could catch up with friends and my family. Lara was seven when her birth mother died from a drug overdose. With no extended family to look after her, she was put into foster care. The care system failed Lara and now she is failing her son.