As CD talks to the Homeless Officer who has phoned, GM looks over his shoulder at his notes whilst she comforts the poorly Lolly.
“→ Drinking Problem” she reads, and nods her head. No surprises there, as Big Sis had already talked to them about that.
CD makes affirmative noises down the phone as GM walks away, talking to Lolly who has calmed down a little and seems ready to be put down again.
GM hears a sigh and looks across the room at CD. As he talks to the Homeless Officer about how his daughter has alienated all her friends and that as far as he knows she really has no-where to stay tonight CD shakes his head. GM walks across the room to look at the next note that he has written.
“→ Pregnant?” is what she reads, and she feels her stomach flip. She echos CD’s sigh, and rubs her temples.
_______________________________
Later Big Sis sits in their living room and CD tries to go through big Sis’s options with her. Big Sis has been given advice by the Local Authority homelessness team, but has been told that currently she is not in priority need, so they will not provide temporary or emergency accommodation.
The Mostly Functional Parents have agreed that they will pay for Bed & Breakfast accommodation for Big Sis for a couple of nights whilst she tries to secure something that is longer term.
“What about the question of whether you are pregnant?” asks GM, “Is that a real possibility, or were you just hoping it would help with the homeless assessment?”
Big Sis glances at GM and shrugs “I could be” she says, “I might be”. GM waits for her to say more but she doesn’t.
“If you are we need to find out, as you’ll have a right to temporary accommodation straight away,” says GM. Big Sis is looking at the TV, and GM cannot fathom what she might be thinking. “Big Sis” she says, “If you are pregnant, you don’t have to decide what to do about that right away you know. You wouldn’t have to keep it just because you get somewhere to live, but if you are pregnant you will have a window of stability and probably some support and advice about that and the drinking …” she petered out, not getting much of anything from Big Sis.
Mostly Functional 
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