The Lost Boy (Harry Styles)

5

Winter was passing by. 1997 arrived with more and more snow. It was one of the coldest winters for many years.

There had been no news of Harry's family.

The Tomlinson's were hopeful of some news today. Harry's birthday.

"Harry. Harry. Wake up!" Louis said. "It's your birthday."

Harry rolled over in his bed, it was too early to wake up.

"Louis. What did I tell you about waking Harry up?" Jay said as she entered the room.

"Sorry Mummy, but I'm excited." Louis replied, jumping out of bed to give her a cuddle.

Harry sat up and rubbed his tired eyes. "Mummy." He whimpered.

It broke Jay's heart every time he called for his Mum.

"Come on munchkin." She said, picking Harry up. He cried as she took him to get changed.

It should be a happy day, but he seemed more upset than usual.

Once downstairs, they had a quick breakfast, before going through to open Harry's presents.

He sat on the sofa between Jay and Louis. Mark sat on the chair opposite.

Harry didn't show much interest in the new toys he got, despite Louis' best efforts.

"Why won't he play Mummy?" Louis asked, sadly. He desperately wanted to play with the younger boy.

"I think he's just feeling sad Lou."

That made Louis sad too. "It's ok Harry. Dont be sad." He said as he hugged him.

Jay saw he was crying again.

They made a fuss of Harry, even though he was miserable and just wanted to sleep.

Florence arrived after lunch. They sat in the living room.

"No news then?" Jay asked. She knew what the answer would be, but had to ask.

"No. Nothing. It's like his family have just vanished."

Jay sighed. "He seems so sad today. I just don't know what to do."

"Just keep giving him attention, cuddles, keep talking, all the things you're already doing."

Jay nodded. Harry was asleep on the sofa, louis keeping a watch over him, while the tv played quietly in the corner.

"He's getting on ok with Louis?"

"Oh yes. Very well. Louis thinks of him as a little brother. He'll be sad when he leaves us."

"That might be a while yet." Florence said.

********

Things were tough. Harry either cried or slept. He never spoke, except when he called for his Mummy.

Doctors were worried that a three year old was showing signs of severe depression.

They wondered what had happened to him in his short life, what had he witnessed?

Police continued their investigations with no leads at all.

*******

The Tomlinson's had lots of foster kids before, some with real problems, but none had been as hard as Harry.

Not that he was a difficult child, or any trouble, it's just the silence, the sadness, the hopelessness.

It was taking it's toll on Jay too.

"If you feel you can't cope with him, we can find him another home." Florence said on her latest visit.

"No. You can't take him away. He's been with us for two months, if he gets moved, I'm not sure how he would cope." Jay replied.

"Ok. Well...I'm going to sort out more help, for all of you."

"Thank you. For everything you're doing."

********

They checked newspapers, the tv news and were kept up to date with the police investigations every day.

Things came to a head at the end of February.

Mark had returned home after work with the newspapers he bought every day. He set them on the coffee table in the living room.

"Hi love. Everything ok?" He asked Jay as he went into the kitchen, kissing her and seeing what was fir dinner.

"Yeah. He's not said anything at all today. Louis read him stories and played with him, but he hasn't even smiled. It's like he's completely switched off. You don't think he has some sort of illness? A brain condition or something? Maybe that's why he was left." Jay said, trying not to cry.

"Hey. Hey. Don't cry. We can go back to the Doctor's. See if we can get him tested."

Suddenly, Louis came running into the kitchen shouting " Mummy! Mummy! Harry's gone all funny. Help!"

They raced back into the living room, seeing Harry standing in front of the coffee table, screaming "MUMMY! MUMMY! MUMMY! MUMMY! MUMMY! over and over. Tears streamed down his face and he kept putting his hand on the top newspaper cover.

"What is it Harry? What's wrong?" Jay asked.

"MUMMYYYYYY!" He patted the paper again.

Jay moved his hand away.

On the front of the newspaper was a photograph of a young woman with similar features to Harry.

"Oh my God. Is...is this your Mummy, Harry?"

Harry put his head on the paper as tears soaked it. Mark picked him up so Jay could look. Harry screamed and tried to get out of his arms.

Jay picked the newspaper up and read the headline.

"Oh...oh God no. Please no." She said before putting it back on the table.

"Jay? What is it? Is it her?" Mark asked, trying to keep a hold of Harry.

"I think it is. But....she's....."

God this was hard to write. I have serious writers block.

What do you think?

Is it his Mum? Is she ok?

Any thoughts welcome.

Hope u all ok.xx 💖💖💖