There’s movement at the top of the tower, and even in the darkening sky, I can see his blond hair.
Thank God. Please, let him be okay.
I climb the ladder until I’m at the top and go around to the side of the tower I saw him on.
“Daddy?”
“Oh, George, thank god.” I kneel and pull him into my arms. “You had me so worried.” I look at the other tiny figure under a blanket. “Megan, sweetie, are you okay?”
“Are we in trouble?” she asks in a timid voice.
“No, honey. You’re not. Everyone’s a little worried though. We’ve been looking for you.”
I take out my phone and message Harrison to call off the search and come over.
“George, what are you two doing here?” I should probably tell him off and be really angry, but I can’t. Having him in my arms is more important.
“Megan was going to help me run away.”
“Run away? Why did you want to run away?”
Tears start running down his cheeks. “Because you don’t love me anymore.”
“George, why would you think that?”
“You don’t want to come with me to live with Mommy. I don’t want to go on my own. That’s why I was going to run away and hide until Mommy goes back to Europe.”
I put my hands on either side of his face, clearing the tears away.
“George, you’re the most important person in my life. I don’t want you to go either.”
My own tears fall.
“Then why are you making me go?”
I take a deep breath. “I’m not, sweetheart. I promise you don’t have to go anywhere you don’t want, okay?”
He nods and holds on to me tightly.
When I see Harrison approach, I wave at him and watch as he goes around to the metal ladder.
I pull George to the side and help Megan stand so I can pass her on to Harrison.
“What’s that smell?” I ask when Megan picks up a bag.
“That’s Rosie’s food,” George says.
“Okay. Give me the bag, Megs. I’ll look after it. Where’s Rosie?”
George points to his backpack.
We take some time getting the kids down from the tower until we’re all on the ground.
Megan is holding on to Stella. Harrison looks like he’s aged a hundred years.
I need to take George home because it’s getting cold, and I need to know he’s back at home safe and sound.
“Harrison, Stella…” I start, not knowing what to say. We're all shaken.
