Wet paint and cheap cord carpet.

TeenBoo has got a flat!! He was offered it from a social housing landlord earlier in the week and signed the papers a couple of days ago. It is a top floor flat (no lift) and has just had a new kitchen and bathroom fitted. Obviously I can't get to see it, but that's OK. He's already made a film of it for me.

He's been decorating it with friends today and went with his Grandpa to choose some cheap cord carpet. We persuaded him to have the whole place done in a tough new carpet that looked good, and then as things move on, he can change it if he wants to. It sounds like it's going to look good. He's chosen a blue colour for the floor and cream for the walls.

I've promised to buy him a sofa bed from Ikea (Thank God for the Ikea card!) and I'll hopefully get him some curtains or blinds too. No doubt they'll be other things! I've been collecting a few things for him over the last year too. For example, kettle, iron, slow cooker, sandwich toaster, duvet, bedding, etc etc.

I am pleased for him and he sounds excited about life. But I can't help thinking about how young he is. At least he's got somewhere safe to live and isn't going to be on the street, which would have upped the anti in terms of his experience of homelessness. Ironically, he's actually had one of the better experiences of being homeless. Yes there have been rough times, but at least no sleeping rough.

Hopefully the days and months ahead will help him move on from his homeless year to his new becoming settled life. Hopefully in the fullness of time, he and I will grow into a more healthy and happy relationship too.