Accusations

VINCE AND VERA couldn’t hold back their tears as the authorities moved in to bring Vivienne. They clung to each other while their small shoulders were shaking as they watched their mother being surrounded by officers.

Vince’s chest felt tight with guilt and thoughts swirled through his head like a storm he couldn’t control.

‘This is all my fault,’ Vince thought, squeezing his sister’s hand tightly. ‘If I hadn’t done that hacking before… if I’d just thought about what could happen.’

He never imagined that his actions, the things he’d done without understanding the real consequences, would put his own mother in trouble like this.

His lips trembled as he tried so hard not to cry but when his twin sister already burst into tears, Vince’s tears started falling too, no matter how much he tried to be a big kid.

When Vivienne saw her children crying, her heart ached. Bitterness crept within her as she crouched down beside them. Her face was calm, though her eyes were filled with a softness