Raven's Gate

places. That is why the government recently created the LEAF Project. Liberty and Education Achieved through Fostering. You can think of it, if you like, as turning over a new leaf.”
    “I’ve already been fostered once” – Matt glanced at Gwenda, who twitched in her seat – “and it wasn’t exactly a success.”
    “That’s certainly true,” the magistrate agreed. “And I’m afraid Ms Davis no longer feels able to look after you. She’s had enough.”
    “Really?” Matt said scornfully.
    “I did what I could!” Gwenda cried. She twisted the tissue into her eye. “You were never grateful. You were never nice. You never even tried.”
    The magistrate coughed and Gwenda glanced up briefly then fell silent. “And I’m afraid your social worker, Miss Hughes, feels much the same,” she went on. “I have to tell you, Matthew, that you’ve left us with no other alternative. LEAF is your last chance to redeem yourself.”
    “What is LEAF?” Matt asked. He suddenly wanted to get out of this room. He didn’t care where they sent him.
    “LEAF is a fostering programme.” Jill Hughes had taken over. She was a small woman, half-hidden by the table behind which she was sitting. In fact she was the wrong size for her job. She had spent her whole life dealing with aggressive criminals, most of whom were much bigger than her. “We have a number of volunteers living in remote parts of the country—”
    “There are fewer temptations in the countryside,” the magistrate cut in.
    “All of them are well away from urban areas,” Jill Hughes continued. “They take on young people like yourself and offer an old-fashioned home environment. They provide food, clothes, companionship and, most important of all, discipline. The L in LEAF stands for Liberty – but it has to be earned.”
    “Your new foster parent may ask you to help with light manual labour,” the magistrate said.
    “You mean … I have to work?” Matt said, his voice full of contempt.
    “There’s nothing wrong with that!” The magistrate bristled. “Working in the countryside is good for your health, and many children would be delighted to be out there with the animals and the crops on a farm. Nobody can force you to join the LEAF Project, Matthew. You have to volunteer. But I have to say, this is a real opportunity for you. And I’m sure you’ll find it preferable to the alternative.”
    “Locked up for three years.”
That was what she had said.
    “How long will I have to stay there?” he asked.
    “A minimum of one year. After that, we’ll reassess the situation.”
    “You may like it,” Stephen Mallory said. He was trying to sound upbeat. “It’s a whole new start, Matt. A chance to make new friends.”
    But Matt had his doubts. “What happens if I don’t like it?” he asked.
    “We’ll be in constant touch with the foster parent,” the magistrate explained. “The parent has to make a weekly report to the police and your aunt will visit you as soon as you feel ready. There’ll be a settling-in period of three months, but after that she’ll see you every month.”
    “She’ll provide an interface between the foster parent and the social services,” Jill Hughes said.
    “I don’t know how I’ll afford it,” Gwenda muttered. “I mean, if there are going to be travelling expenses. And who’s going to look after Brian while I’m away? I have responsibilities, you know…”
    Her voice trailed away. The room was suddenly silent, apart from the sound of the traffic and the rain hitting the windows.
    “All right.” Matt shrugged. “You can send me wherever you want to. I don’t really care. Anything would be better than being with her and Brian.”
    Gwenda flushed. Mallory cut in before she could speak. “We won’t abandon you, Matt,” he promised. “We’ll make sure you’re looked after.”
    But the magistrate was annoyed. “You have absolutely nothing to complain about,” she snapped. She looked at Matt over the top of her glasses. “Quite frankly, you should be grateful you’re being given this opportunity. And I should warn you. If your foster parent is unhappy with your progress, if you abuse the kindness you’re being shown in any way, then you will be returned to us. And then you will find yourself in an institution. You won’t be given a second chance. Do you understand?”
    “Yes. I understand.” Matt glanced at the windows. The light was almost lost behind the grey, endlessly moving