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and tried regressive counseling to get to the root of the problem.  She hadn’t got very far before she left us but she did at least re-establish Grainne’s personality and memories up to the age of ten or so.  If you discuss anything with her from that period of her life –when she talks at all- you talk to the real Grainne; a very sweet and lovable child-Grainne.  Mention any more recent events in her life and she slides away again, either into fantasy or a type of self-imposed catatonia.  Sarah was supposed to begin advancing her through the next few years into her teens but instead she got married and emigrated.’
    Kate grinned in spite of herself at his disapproving tone and said, ‘Bloody women, eh?  Buggering off and getting married before completing her job?’
    He stared at her blankly for several long seconds before shaking his head , ‘It wasn’t the marriage I objected to, it was her moving to America with her new husband that caused the problem.  With the recession came the return of the brain drain, alas.  But even re-establishing her real memories, her real personality , up to the age of ten was something, I suppose.  Though they weren’t very deeply sublimated, I have to say.  And now I need someone to carry on Sarah’s work, to bring her up to the time of the trauma and hopefully help her to face her own memories rather than retreat into fantasy again.’
    Kate pursed her lips, ‘You’ve got me interested in th is girl, Trev, but I’m not a psychiatrist.  If she’s as disturbed as you say I’m not sure I can help.’
    He held up his hand to stop he r, ‘I know she’s an extreme case but like I said, we think the problem is trauma related.  And you’re the best trauma counselor I know.  I think you can reach this girl.  If you fail I’ll go back to the drawing board but I’d like you to at least give it a try.  What have you got to lose?  I know you’re not short of money but the fees will be generous, to say the least, and you have to admit she’s an interesting case study.  And we’re only talking about one or two sessions a week, after all.’
    Kate knew that disingenuous tone of old and the ghost of a smile touched her lips as she said teasingly, ‘Unless I want to do more, is that it?’
    Caught out, he grinned disa rmingly and said, ‘Well, three or four sessions a week probably would be more beneficial to her, if you can spare the time.’  He laughed outright and confessed, ‘I know you, you see.  If she captures your interest you’ll work night and day until you find out what caused her breakdown.  And then you’ll work twice as hard until you help her face the problem, and get over it.’
    ‘Flattery will get you everywhere,’ she replied with a smile, in truth not immune to his high opinion of her abilities, ‘but the connection has to come from both sides. Obviously I’ll need to meet her first, to see if we can form the necessary bond.  And I’ll need a vast amount of background on her.’
    ‘You’ll get it,’ he said instantly, ‘I’ve got a file on her as long as your arm.  And although she was an only child she has an aunt who’s ready to tell you everything you want to know about her past.  And more.’
    She noticed the distaste on his face but remained silent and at length he continued, ‘I told you Grainne was a wild child.  Well, from the age of about fourteen or so all she was interested in was sex and drugs, booze and wild parties.  She was arrested more than once but Riordan covered up the various scandals, including her being arrested for soliciting.  That turned out to be a mistake, by the way; she wasn’t trying to sell herself, just offering sex to a stranger on the street.  She was arrested for possession of heroin too, along with her then boyfriend, a junkie who doubled as her pusher.  I believe he was also working on trying to become her pimp too and hit her, which is why she caused a scene in the street and got