The secret ingredient

Adam had never tasted hot chocolate like this before, nor had he ever dared get too used to one foster home

- TRACEY GLASSPOOL

SIT yourself down, Adam,” Maria says, putting a steaming cup on the table. “ Hot chocolate. Liam and I always have one on a Friday night, while we watch television.”

I snort. “I’d rather have a coffee. Or a vodka.”

Maria laughs. “No coffee after lunch in this house – and definitely no vodka.” Then she turns away and calls for Liam. Not what I was expecting.

I take a sip. The drink is thick and sweet – delicious. The only hot chocolate I’ve ever had before was like muddy water.

Maria’s looking at me. “Good?” I shrug. “It’s all right. Tastes different. What d’you put in it?”

She taps the side of her nose – secret.

I’m about to take another sip when a whirlwind crashes through the door straight into the table. The cup wobbles and I splash hot chocolate down me.

“Hey! Watch it!” I’m on my feet. “Slowly, Liam,” Maria says, scooping up

the whirlwind. “Say ‘hello’ to Adam.” A little boy looks back at me. “I’m Liam,” he says. “I’m nearly five and

I can swim without armbands and I got a sticker at school today.”

He pokes his hand out at me.

I start to grin at him, see Maria watching me and bite it back. But I take his hand. “Hello, Liam. I’m Adam and I’m nearly 12.”

MARIA puts him down and he scoots into the chair opposite me as I sit down again. He stares straight at me like little kids do.

I stare back.

“Will you watch Spider-Man with us?” he says.