Say you love me

56

Pearl was lonely. There were no other children on the street, and all she had was her teddy bear. He did not talk much, but was a great listener. His fur was soft, and his big black button eyes were friendly and round. She clutched him for comfort in this unfamiliar place. Her daddy's house.

She did not like the hardwood floors that were uncomfortable to sit on instead of the carpet in her and Mummy's house. She did not like the couch that was not good for jumping. She did not like the refrigerator that did not have milk.

She did not like this place at all. Mummy would know how to make it fun like at home, but Mummy was not here.
"Daddy?" Pearl whimpered as she hugged her bear closer into her chest. "I want Mummy," she said in a quavering voice. "I want Mummy! Mummy sings songs and makes the bad go away."
"Oh darling, I'm sorry. I miss your mummy too. I'm sure she'll be here soon," John tried hard not to frown as he said it, but it was nearly impossible; he didn't know when Christine was coming back. Or where she was. Or how to take care of a small child.

"Biscuit misses Mummy too." Pearl held out her soft brown bear. The bear's smile suggested otherwise.