‘Yes … Or the Grinch! I’ve been a horrid old misery, stuck in my ways and cold to the suffering of others, but now I’ve come to my senses just in time for Christmas.’
Lucas smiled too, despite the seriousness of the situation.
‘I guess you could say you’ve gone through a similar journey to Scrooge,’ Lucas said.
‘We’re all constantly learning, whatever age we are. At least I’ve been able to see the error of my ways before it’s too late.’ His father sipped his cider. ‘Do you … Would you be able to… stay for Christmas, do you think?’
Lucas looked into his cup of cider to buy himself a moment, and then he met his father’s eyes. The questions deep within them, the yearning for a sense of comfort and family that he had missed for years, was clear. Lucas knew there was no wayhe would refuse. ‘I was already thinking I’d stay until January if that’s OK with you?’
His father’s face crumpled, and Lucas reached out and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. He could feel his father shaking as he cried, but rather than try to stop him, he sat quietly with him. Sometimes people needed to get something out of their system, and he knew his father needed to do that exact thing right now. Thankfully, they were away from the crowds, so they had some privacy. Plus, his father was so bundled up in his coat, hat, and scarf that someone would need to come up close to see his face clearly, anyway.
‘Why don’t I get us something to eat?’ Lucas asked, handing his father a tissue. ‘Give you a moment for yourself.’
‘Thanks, son.’ His father wiped his eyes, then blew his nose, and Lucas got up and headed towards a food stall that he’d seen earlier.
He browsed their menu and ordered two mince pies, two gingerbread angels and two bottles of water. The woman serving put them into a bag for him and he turned to walk back to the harbour when he heard a cry. A little girl was standing by the tree, looking distraught. She was scanning the ground while tears ran down her cheeks.
‘Hey, what’s wrong?’ Lucas asked as he approached her.
‘I’ve lost him!’ She looked up at Lucas, then rubbed at her eyes. Her pink bobble hat was crooked, and she had a snotty nose. She looked like she was about seven years old.
‘Who have you lost?’ Lucas asked gently.
‘My … my teddy, Cuddlebug. I had him just now and then I went to speak to a friend from school. I must have dropped him and when I came back, he was gone.’ Her bottom lip wobbled, and fresh tears flooded her eyes.
‘Don’t worry, we can try to find him. Are you here with your parents?’ he asked.
She shook her head. ‘M-my Grandpa. He’s over there.’ She pointed at a man who was standing in line at a sweet stall. ‘He’ll be so upset because my granny made the bear for me and now sh-she’s in heaven.’
Lucas crouched down. ‘What’s your name?’
She froze, her eyes wide. ‘I forgot I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.’
‘That’s very sensible. OK… I’m Lucas and that man over there is my father.’ He pointed at the bench where his father was sitting, his gaze still focused on the water. ‘I’m staying in the village for Christmas. You don’t need to tell me your name, but I will help you find Cuddlebug. What does he look like?’
She sniffed hard, her little shoulders shaking. ‘H-he’s white with a red hat and coat and he has one eye because my mummy washed him, and the other eye fell out. She said she’d sew a new one on, but I don’t want him to look different to when my granny made him.’
‘So we’re looking for a white teddy bear with one eye?’
She nodded.
‘OK then … Why don’t you go back to your grandpa, and I’ll look for Cuddlebug, then bring him to you?’
She nodded. ‘Thank you.’
‘It’s no problem.’
Lucas watched as she went to join her grandpa, and then he walked around the tree in search of a teddy bear. There was no sign of him though, so he walked further, his eyes on the ground. He peered under benches and behind bins and felt his hope fading with each moment that passed.
‘Hello!’
He looked up to find Thora standing in front of him.
‘Oh … Hi.’
‘Are you looking for something?’ she asked.
‘I am. A little girl over there lost?—’
