6
Ivy
WearrivedinLondonyesterday, and despite our efforts to avoid jet lag, not a soul in our hotel suite was awake until after lunchtime. Deciding we needed to get up and move, I woke them. I was met by a range of reactions, from Peter's excitement to Val’s pillow being launched at my face.
Still, I was successful. We’re out. All of us enjoying the sunshine in Wandsworth Park. I think it was a good move. The warm breeze on my skin makes me smile as I watch the kids on the swings from where Val and I sit on a bench.
“This was a good idea,” Val says, her eyes on her husband as he plays like he is going to steal Peter’s shoes when he swings forward.
“I know.”
“Don’t get cocky, you weren’t the only one with this good idea.”
In the ten minutes since our arrival, it seems everyone within a five-mile radius has decided to visit Wandsworth Park on this beautiful day. “Let’s give the kids a few more minutes, then go for a walk,” I suggest.
“Sounds good.”
Micah and the kids play for five more minutes, until Juniper declares, “We should go for a walk.”
“That was easy,” Val says to me as we get up from the bench.
The park is beautiful. It runs along the River Thames, and we pause briefly at the railing to watch the river pass by. The walkway is lined by huge, beautiful trees. They remind me of a tree in Val and Micah’s yard. It’s some kind of sycamore, maybe these are too. Whatever they are, they make for a stunning walk.
We’ve been walking a while when I turn to say something to Peter and don’t see him behind me.
“Where’s Peter?”
My sister looks frantically around. “I thought he was walking behind us with Micah.” She turns to where her husband and Juniper walk behind her. They are both oblivious, talking to each other. “Where’s Peter?”
“I thought …” Micah looks at each of them and the surrounding area. “I don’t see him.”
“Oh my gosh, he’s been snatched!” Panic swells in Val’s eyes.
“He has not been snatched. We’ll find him. He can’t be far,” I assure her, despite feeling similarly. I rub my hands up and down her upper arms.
“We have our phones,” Micah says. “I’ll take Juniper and we’ll walk back toward the park. Honey, you keep walking ahead, and, Ivy, why don’t you walk inward through the trees?” He walks to Val and hugs her tightly, but briefly. “We’ll find him.”
I watch as Micah turns to the river, shuddering to think what could be if that were the direction Peter had gone.
Trying not to pick up any more of my sister's panic, I pass under the trees and see some kids playing soccer … excuse me, football. A couple of minutes later, I’m almost hit in the head with a frisbee. My search leads me around way too many picnickers. As my panic builds, my eyes are darting all over the place when I round a tree and crash right into someone. I know at this point I surely look deeply worried, maybe even crazed. I thought for sure I would have found him by now or would have received a call that one of them had.
The stranger reaches out for my shoulders, keeping me from flying onto the grass.
“Miss, are you alright?”
The electricity of his touch hits me before I look up. When I do, I’m met with gorgeous slate-blue eyes. It takes a moment,but eventually I realize the stunning man with his hands on my shoulders is Alexander Henry. The movie star. He’s wearing a hat and eyeglasses as if to disguise himself, but it’s not terribly effective.
“I’m fine. I’m so sorry.” It’s shockingly hard to do so, but I turn to continue with my frantic searching, and hear his footsteps jogging up behind me.
“I apologize, but you don’t seem fine.”
I stop and look up at him once again. I’m not one to be impressed with him being an actor, but even in my slightly crazed state, I can admit he is even more handsome in person.
“I’m …” I breathe deeply, trying to calm myself, and find comfort in the eyes of the man standing across from me. “I’m looking for my nephew. He’s seven and he went missing about ten minutes ago. I’ve got to keep looking.”
I step away, but he stops me with a gentle hand on my arm. “What does he look like? What’s he wearing? I’ll help.”
My first instinct was to say no and walk away, but what would it hurt for him to help? I pull out my phone and show him the photo I took of the kids on the playground.
