Alex Batty Speaks to His Mother Again

May 13, 2026, 09:01
EuropeSociety

Introduction

Alex Batty lived in Spain and France for six years. He returned to the UK in 2023. Now, he is talking to his mother, Melanie Batty.

Main Body

In 2017, Melanie and David Batty took 11-year-old Alex to Spain. They did not follow the law. Alex did not go to school. He worked hard to help his family. He was often hungry. In winter, he slept in a tent while his mother stayed in a warm car. French police and social workers knew about Alex. But they did not help him. They did not have his ID papers. Alex also did not want the police to arrest his family. In 2025, the UK police stopped the case. They said they could not punish the parents. Alex left his family and went to the police in Toulouse. He talked about his life in a BBC film. He is sad about his school and his hard life. But he wants to be friends with his mother again.

Conclusion

Alex and his mother now send messages to each other. Alex lives a normal life in the UK.

Learning

The 'No' Pattern (Past Tense)

To tell a story about the past, we often need to say things did not happen. Look at these examples from the story:

  • They did not follow the law.
  • Alex did not go to school.
  • They did not help him.

The Golden Rule: When you use did not, the action word (verb) stays in its simple, present form.

❌ Wrong: They did not followed ✅ Right: They did not follow

Quick Change Guide:

  • I go →\rightarrow I did not go
  • He works →\rightarrow He did not work
  • We have →\rightarrow We did not have

Useful Word Pairs

Here are a few opposites found in the text to help you describe situations:

Warm →\rightarrow Cold (The car was warm / The tent was cold) Normal →\rightarrow Hard (A normal life / A hard life)

Vocabulary Learning

lived (v.)
to stay in a place for a period of time
Example:I lived in Spain for six years.
returned (v.)
to go back to a place
Example:He returned to the UK in 2023.
talking (v.)
having a conversation
Example:She is talking to her mother.
worked (v.)
did a job or effort
Example:He worked hard to help his family.
hungry (adj.)
needing food
Example:He was often hungry.
winter (n.)
the cold season of the year
Example:In winter, he slept in a tent.
slept (v.)
to rest by closing eyes
Example:He slept in a tent.
stayed (v.)
remained in a place
Example:His mother stayed in a warm car.
warm (adj.)
not cold
Example:The car was warm.
police (n.)
law enforcement officers
Example:The police stopped the case.
workers (n.)
people who do work
Example:Social workers knew about Alex.
knew (v.)
had knowledge
Example:The police knew about Alex.
papers (n.)
documents with information
Example:They did not have his ID papers.
arrest (v.)
to take someone to jail
Example:He did not want the police to arrest his family.
sad (adj.)
feeling unhappy
Example:He is sad about his school.