Page 51 of The Christmas Star

Jackson’s face lit up while I steeled myself.

‘It would seem our party of two has become three.’

My heart sank and I threw my head back in despair. Please don’t say you’ve picked up a hitchhiker.

‘It all started when we stopped at this aire de service. We were having a bite to eat. Nothing fancy, just un croque monsieur. Anyway, we heard this crying, didn’t we, Jackson? We looked around us to see where it was coming from and that’s when we saw her.’

Oh, Lordy.

‘The poor little girl was starving.’

I stared at the screen, horrified. You saw a child? On her own?

‘Her hair looked like it hadn’t seen a brush in goodness knows how long.’ Maeve shook her head and tutted. ‘And we couldn’t just leave her there.’

Of course you couldn’t. But what’s that got to do with…? My heart raced as realisation set in. If I’d thought the gendarmerie were tough on traffic violations, I hated to think what they did to kidnappers. I looked out of the window at Theo and opening my mouth to call him over, I hesitated. The last thing Mum and Jackson needed was me blabbing in front of a French citizen. He’d be straight onto the authorities. My heart sank at the thought of Mum’s viewing figures. Along with everyone else watching this video.

‘Not that we abducted her or anything like that.’

Good luck getting a judge to believe you.

‘We checked no one was looking for her and…’ Maeve put a hand up as if to clarify. ‘…she willingly got into the car, didn’t she, Jackson?

He gave an emphatic nod. ‘She did.’

Jesus, Mother. I swallowed hard, unable to believe Mum was telling the world she and Jackson had lifted a child off the street.

Maeve’s expression softened as she gave Jackson a nudge. ‘Would you like to do the introductions?’

Way to go, Mum. This isn’t going to get you arrested at all.

Jackson jumped off his chair and disappearing off-screen, returned with a blanketed bundle.

My fears grew. That’s not a child, it’s a baby. I’d known Mum wanted grandchildren but that was taking things too far.

The baby moved.

They’re going to lock you up and throw away the key.

My phone grip tightened and my eyes widened in anticipation as Jackson angled the abductee towards his audience. Confusion took hold as I stared at the biggest pair of brown eyes.

Maeve smiled like a proud granny. ‘Everyone, I’d like you to meet Roma.’

Finding myself staring at a dog, my body crumpled as, in an instant, my fears evaporated. Why would you do that to me? To all your viewers?

Roma broke free from her blanketed confines and clambering up and down Jackson’s chest, she tried to smother him in kisses. Long-haired and reddish-brown in colour, the more she jumped, the more her ears flapped and her bushy tail wagged. Laughing, Jackson was forced to crane his neck to avoid her licking his face.

‘Isn’t she beautiful?’ Maeve asked.

I couldn’t deny Mum was right. As for whether Roma was worth the heart attack Mum almost gave me, the jury was still out.

‘Obviously that’s not her real name. It’s the one we’ve given her.’ She patted Roma’s head. ‘And don’t be worrying, everyone. We haven’t stolen her. We’ve had her checked over by a vet who’s informed us she isn’t chipped. I also left my number should anyone report her missing.’

Roma finally calmed down and settled on Jackson’s knee.

‘The only other option was sending her to the pound.’

The dog’s eyes closed as Jackson rhythmically stroked along her back.