The man with the camera points it at us while the journalist gestures for us to stand closer together.
‘Ready,’ says the man with camera as a few London Bridge commuters stop and watch the interview.
The journalist flashes us a sickly sweet smile. ‘I’m stood with the couple who found missing Jack Gardener on the train from Brighton to London this morning.’
Before the journalist has a chance to say another word, I tap him on the shoulder. ‘We’re not a couple.’
The woman lets out a loud sigh. ‘We have told you a hundred times – he and I are not together.’
Ignoring us, the journalist beams at the camera. ‘This is the good news story we all want to hear on Christmas Eve. A missing nine-year-old boy is found safe and well on a train by this couple, Rory Wilkinson, and Zoe Frederick. Tell us what it was like to find young Jack?’
Zoe opens her mouth, but I am quicker. ‘Jack was asleep on the seat next to us when we boarded. Can I just say that Zoe and I arenota couple?’
Zoe pushes me aside and looks directly at the camera. ‘I was the one who noticed Jack first. It was me who contacted the police, not this man, who didn’t have a clue what I was talking about when I clocked it was the missing boy,’ she says, pointing at me.
Irritation at this situation prickles up my neck. ‘I couldn’t hear what you were saying.’
She rolls her eyes and looks away.
The journalist switches his attention to me. Out of the corner of my eye I notice the group of commuters now stood watching the interview has grown larger.
‘Jack told me you helped him on the train. Jack ran away because he was upset about his dying grandfather. Apparently, you spoke to him about your experiences with grief.’
To say I am stunned at what this journalist has just said is an understatement. I’ve gone from not talking about Lawrence for nearly ten years to potentially talking about him on the news in twenty-four hours. All I can do is nod.
The journalist gestures for Jack to come over. Jack rushes over dragging his mum by the hand.
‘Jack, are you pleased to be back?’ The camera points to Jack who is still wearing his yellow bobble hat.
Jack gazes up at his mum, who smiles. Yes, I am.’
‘Can you tell the people at home how Rory helped you on the train?’
Jack smiles. ‘Rory told me Grandpa will live on inside of me when he dies. That makes me happy.’
Everyone around us breaks into a round of applause and Jack’s mum bursts into tears.
The journalist senses he’s creating the most emotional and heartfelt news interview of his career and turns quickly back to me. ‘Rory, Jack tells me your younger brother died and you believe he’s living on inside of you.’
The face of the old man from the graveyard appears in my mind. ‘I can’t take the credit for it. I met a gentleman this morning who told me loved ones who die live on inside of us. This morning I needed to hear it and I am glad I got the chance to pass it on to Jack.’
I watch the journalist nod and turn to interview Jack’s parents. Now is my time to escape. Turning on my heel I am stopped by Jack. ‘Merry Christmas, Rory.’
‘Happy Christmas, Jack. Remember what I said about your grandpa and no more running away.’
He grins. ‘Mum says I am not allowed to go near St Pancras station for the rest of my life, although I did lose my favourite yellow scarf there so we might have to return.’
‘You lost your scarf in St Pancras station?’
Jack nods. ‘My grandpa bought it for me last year.’
I detect the tinge of sadness in his voice.
‘Didn’t the police have it?’
He shakes his head. ‘No, Mummy never told them about my scarf as I was wearing it under my coat. It doesn’t matter now.’
‘Why did you take it off?’
