Page 137 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
FROM:Paul Cole
Dear Oliver,
I haven’t heard from you in a while and hope you are well.
Previously, we spoke about dreams and how they connect us to our otherlife. But even if your dreams are elusive, you can still harness that link for peace and healing. Art can transport our consciousness to a higher place. Can you use music to change your mood? A favourite track, descending a rabbit hole of recommended music on your streaming service … all can help ease anxiety and refresh the psyche.
I often recommend exploring creativity to my counselling clients. Your local adult education college will run art classes. You could write your story down, or if you’re musical try composing your own tune. Finally, getting out and about, alone or with friends, can be a transformative tonic. I frequently set myself the challenge to say ‘yes’ to every invitation I receive!
Many people I’ve worked with have found the above helpful in overcoming their low mood. Please feel free to contact me at any time.
Paul
Video-call interview with retired social worker Sabrina Emanuel, 30 July 2021. Transcribed by Ellie Cooper.
AB:Ellie, I’m interviewing Sabrina Emanuel, a retired social worker. She’s a wonderful lady and we go back a long, long way. I wanted to speak to her earlier about the baby but she was busy moving abroad. Let’s see if she remembers anything. You can cut out whatever isn’t relevant to the angels. [I cut out your conversation about her move to Portugal, the weather, the beach, the balmy nights … EC]
AB:I’ve never properly thanked you for everything back then.
SE:No need. You’re a success story I often think back on.
AB:I’m asuccessstory?
SE:Yes! Of course you are.
AB:The lovely guy I’ve just ditched might disagree.
SE:What happened? Tell me.
AB:Oh, I don’t know. I don’t like them when they’re edgy and I don’t trust them when they’re nice.
SE:You don’t trust yourself, darling. Perhaps you don’t trust things to go right in your life. But they will. When you meet him, you’ll know.
AB:Sabrina, I’m afraid I met him years ago. I had what you might callfeelingsfor someone, but then he did something that meant I could never trust him again. As time went on, I realised it had destroyed my trust in everyone else, too. I still can’t forgive him. Not until he loses as much as I did. [I cut out her advice to you about learning to let go and trust others. You seem a bit upset here, Mand. Who are you talking about? You switch off the recording, then start it again later. EC]
SE:I remember the angels, oh yes. My colleague worked with Holly when she first escaped them. She was like you: a young woman who took control of her own life when no one else would.
AB:To be honest, some of the material is a bit … [A long pause here. EC]
SE:Close to home?
AB:Close to home. Literally! As you know.
SE:Well then, you’ll understand what drove Holly away from all the adults that had let her down.
AB:I do. I was lucky. I never met a Gabriel. What happened to Holly? I’ve been told she was taken in by family.
SE:Family? Well, yes. She hadn’t been in care when he’d got his claws into her, so she went back to her mother. A college course was organised. In the end, she was fine, Amanda. My friend heard she was studying to be a social worker. She looked out for her name in professional circles, but never saw it, so perhaps she decided it wasn’t for her.
AB:And the baby?
SE:My friend doesn’t remember a baby at all.
AB:Would it be conceivable your colleague wouldn’t have been told that Holly had had a baby taken away?
SE:They’dhaveto know. It would be too significant for Holly’s mental and emotional state.
AB:Exactly. [A long pause here. EC] Sabrina, can you remember when this was? When you – your friend, I mean – dealt with Holly.
