Her Giant Octopus Moment

By: Kay Langdale

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Synopsis: When a surrogate mother pretends the pregnancy has miscarried, and bears a daughter - to whom does the child belong? To her runaway birth mother, or her grieving father and his wife? Scout, born as a result of a surrogacy arrangement, is kept by her biological mother, Joanie, who has deliberately deceived both the clinic and Scout's intended parents by claiming to have had a miscarriage. When this deception comes to light ten years later, a compelling moral dilemma unfolds as Joanie makes her situation worse in the eyes of the law and social services by going on the run. Scout is shown to be a resourceful, anxious, perceptive child. She craves normality in the face of her mother's restlessness and unaccountability. There is pathos in her attempts to create order and routine in her life. She focuses on trying to home-school herself, and on maximising the adult relationships around her. She is loyal to her mother, and loves her deeply, despite being aware of her inconsistencies. Will the Family Court make the right decision for this vulnerable and determined little girl?