Wednesday 23 September 2009

Oh shit.

I've received an email from Ruby's mother.  Shit shit shit.  Ruby (not her real name) was the little girl we met on holiday in Malta.   After we arrived home, I rang the NSPCC to voice my concerns about her welfare.  I wrote about it in an earlier post, here.    God knows how her mother found my email address??!!

She sounds completely deranged.  I am genuinely freaked out.  Without sounding like a complete drama queen (and a doom-mongerer) I read her email and felt utterly chilled. 

This is what she wrote.  I haven't changed a single comma or full stop or added/removed anything, apart from a couple of names.  In several places, I don't even know what she's talking about.  Weirdly, she didn't address the email to me (though she obviously knows my name) but instead began with my initial and surname (which I, too, have changed, for obvious reasons).   She wrote:

J. SMITH

What you heard on that night was not me, slapping her around. "I do not hit my daughter and never have.!!!!"


What you heard was, me really losing my temper with a girl who wanted to act like a teenager,rather than her ten years,and my concerns that she was not eating, properly on holiday. And that maybe she should reside with her Father,if she was not ging to listen or take direction from myself. Your assumption that her behaviour was that of a child frightened is ridiculous, she is a very clever girl, who is very apt at manipulation! Her actions are that of a sulky moody girl, going through a difficult phase in her life, not due to me, but the drug raids we have had with a neighbour for the past 5 years or so. She was saying stop it, because,obviously she wanted me to calm down! Yes taking the Norethiserone,to stop my period, whilst travelling, obviously didnt agree with me, and in hindsight should have read side affects! With an Under active thyroid, I didnt know, I would be more irritated and snappy. But as I say again. " I Did Not Hit My Daughter"


Well J.Smith, I have to say one of your daughters didnt look particulary happy herself.  XXXX was around her age?... Was there some reason why they could not mix? Strange! Was that due to her own chioce? Why would you let your daughter wear a political t. shirt in this World Climate.
Oh the Bruises, nearly forgot, she is an extremely picky eater as I have mentioned. This is due to a lack of "Iron" We had the photo to show the lady on my camera she got from, the game machine, ask XXXX and XXXX!....The other faint "BRUISES" were from school.
I was completely exonerated as my capacity to be a parent. From her School, Doctor, Mother and everyone else that knows us!!!
I have to say you broke my writers block, my book back on track! So hopefully it will soon be accepted by an agent to go with my published article and published photographs. Thank you for the experience. I actually find controlled people far more worrying than, those who can let it out. Perhaps you should look into this for your daughters sake! Shame you didn't live next door to Baby P!
I am now considering seeing my solicitor about your accusations...

P.S Your daughters can only "Share" a choclate bar on holiday, because of Gluttony.


WTF????!!!!   

Don't know what to say.  Obviously, I'm not going to respond, although I would like to ask her - amongst other things - what the hell that loopy 'PS' is all about??!!  

And I'm also tempted to write back and say that I would love for her to talk to her solicitor and for her solicitor to get in touch with me asap because I would welcome the opportunity to tell her/him what Eldest and Youngest Daughter and I heard that night.   But I think it's best that I stay schtumm.  And hope that she goes away. Hope hope hope.

17 comments:

  1. Oh God...just read briefly the first part of your post about the incident....got sch run to do. Thats terrible, how frightening for you all and poor poor child. You did the right thing, you don't think she reads your blog do you? Got your email from there? Just a thought.

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  2. Chic Mama: No way she could be reading my blog (I don't think?!) For a start, she doesn't even know I blog and I don't think I'm trace-able (out of 70,000,000 blogs??!!). Plus she wrote to me via my non-blog related email. So don't think so.

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  3. That is horrifying! Especially that the NSPCC would make it quite so blatant who had contacted them. Do Not write back! No matter how tempting...

    Personally, I would forward her email to the NSPCC. She sounds erratic and full of problems, but you did do the right thing in talking to the NSPCC. Really you did.

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  4. Did she get your email from the travel company? This does sound a scary thing to have been involved in, but I really think you did the right thing. I admire you. I'm new to your blog (from Some Mothers Do Ave Em), but I couldn't help commenting.

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  5. Mud: I rang the NSPCC for advice. They were lovely - said that Malta/the incident would not have been mentioned explicitly ... but clearly Ruby's mum has put 2 + 2 together. Not surprising, perhaps.

    Thanks v.much for your reassurances (Chic Mama, too)re. having done the right thing. NSPCC said same and also advised that I not respond. Said I should contact the police if she writes again, which gave me the heebie jeebies a bit.

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  6. Iota: thanks for popping in via SMDAE and thanks for your kind comments. Well, I rang the travel co. too (only way I could think that Ruby's mum could possibly have got hold of my email?!)and was told that the lady who 'might know' is on holiday until tomorrow. I will be horrified (and mad as hell) if they DID share it with her ....

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  7. This is horrible. I am stunned that she found you, particularly as she seems to be several sandwiches short of a picnic. Oh, her poor child. And poor you, for having the courage to do the right thing and then have this clearly deranged woman harrass you. I hope it ends here. I feel all sort of worried and anxious now, so God knows how you must be feeling.

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  8. You most definitely did the right thing and I admire you for doing this. Too many people these days turn a blind eye which results in so many tragic cases. Hopefully you can find out where she got your e-mail address from. Linda

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  9. Gosh, you poor thing. I would feel very scared to receive that. I feel for you. But you did and are doing the right thing. Fingers crossed this is the last you'll hear.

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  10. Nic: Yup. Am worried and anxious. First thought I had (on reading her email) was for the safety of my girls. I doubt she would 'try' anything but all the same (because she's clearly very odd ... and has a nasty temper)it has made me a bit jumpy. (I've probably just watched too many episodes of 'Cracker' and 'Waking the Dead' ....)

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  11. Linda & Sub: thanks so much for the support & reassurance... appreciate it more than I can say. x

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  12. Oy, no, that's just awful! I hope that's the last you hear from her - she sounds completely nuts and just, really, reaffirms that you did the right thing by reporting her. Pity you have to feel scared though. Sending love x

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  13. Shiny: Thank you. Today I feel like being far, far away, like at the top of Table Mountain. x

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  14. Oh god. That's awful.
    The woman is clearly not right - at all. I think the police need to be made aware of this. And if you find out who passed on your email address...sue their asses.

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  15. Elaine: am still waiting for travel co. to get back to me re. who made my email address available!? Have rung them twice now and they're still 'trying to get to the bottom of it' ....

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  16. I have had to make my blog invite only. If you still want to read my ramblings then please e mail me (address on my profile page) and I will send you an invite x

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  17. Sub, I seemed to have missed the opportunity?! Can no longer access your profile/anything.... not even sure if you will read this but would like to keep following - just not sure how?

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