Tracie Daily

“I spent that night sat on his bed peeling the burnt skin off his back in huge white sheets. Most nights we would watch through the bedroom window as the drunks went past.

One night a group was outside and had turned violent. Which wasn’t unusual but this night Alan shouted out of the window “that’s enough lads! Leave him!”
They didn’t listen. He shouted again this time towards the house but with the window still open “Pat bring the shotgun!” They vanished. We didn’t even own a shotgun. We did own a blank firing six shooter pistol though. I don’t know why.”
― Tracie Daily, Tracie's Story: Care Abuse Love Murder

“Can I play with the dolls now please Nan?” Caroline asked gently. “Yes with pleasure” nan replied. Caroline sat still for five minutes a little bit closer to our group playing cards and then gingerly said “where is it Nan?” As she clutched the one doll she’d been allowed to play with. “Where’s what?” Nan asked sighing like she'd been stopped mid way to picking up fifty pounds. “The pleasure?” Caroline replied innocently unaware of what it was she was saying.
This story was retold by Nan many times when someone asked about Caroline to point out how unwell mentally she was and why she was under whichever punishment nan had designated for her at the time. Caroline had no mental problems. She had a stutter because she had been scared so much as a child. Unfortunately the story sums up how nan was with girls perfectly. There was no pleasure.”
― Tracie Daily, Tracie's Story: Care Abuse Love Murder

“The atmosphere inside was terrible. Brenda stared into the distance whenever I was around her and hardly spoke to me.

Little Jim passed me in the hall “you shouldn’t have done that” he said without malice. Was he scared too? Why was everyone scared? What didn’t I know?

I walked into the kitchen “Hi Brenda, what should I do now I’m late for tea?” I asked her honestly.

“You can do whatever you choose Tracie” she said staring through the kitchen window. It kind of reminded me of my first memory of mum. I was shocked she sounded like she really didn’t care. She wasn’t even fake caring any more she just plain didn’t give a shit.

“Thanks” I said and walked towards the living room where Caroline and Rita were sat. Rita got up and walked past me to go to bed. “What’s going on?” I said to Caroline. “We didn’t know where you were” she said shaking her head at me. Did nobody get it?”
― Tracie Daily, Tracie's Story: Care Abuse Love Murder

“I left the bedroom to judge distances in the hall. I was less comfortable in the rest of the flat but knew if I could make it to my room I had a chance. Wenzel's spare coat was slung on the door to the living room. I searched the pockets and found an envelope full of twenty pound notes and another roll of notes in the other pocket. How did he get so much money? We earned thirty pounds a day at the fruit and veg shop and half of my days pay went straight to him for rent.”
― Tracie Daily, Tracie's Story: Care Abuse Love Murder