Taken

Rosie Lewis has spent years as a foster carer, but few placements have stayed with her as Megan's did. Megan arrived as a newborn with a cleft palate and a drug dependency inherited from her mother's substance use during pregnancy. Rosie took her in and cared for her round the clock.

Rosie's role was to help Megan move on to a permanent family. Yet from the start, Megan seemed to have chosen Rosie as the person who would mother her. Rosie grew deeply attached and applied to adopt her, only to be turned down by the system in favour of a young couple.

Despite her doubts, Rosie carried on with her professional duties and got Megan ready for her new family. Letting go felt wrong at every step. Some months later, Rosie heard that the adoption had collapsed, which left her sad yet hopeful that Megan might return to the home she believed was rightfully hers.