LIGHT IN DARKNESS


By Tessa Harvey


GLAD:
    Bill was not one for tact and diplomacy, but I could have wished for a less abrupt statement! Poor Lacey went very pale, swaying a little. I was glad she was sitting down.
    "They will take my baby!" "How old are you, dear?" I asked gently.
    Lacey looked down and flushed. "I have, I am fifteen," she murmured. I was shocked and tried not to show it. "Where are your parents?"
    "You see," interrupted Bill, "Glad found a note with your baby. The people who took and returned her want you back. We want you to stay with us and be safe if that's okay with you. So we need to talk to the police," Bill finished. Then the phone rang.
    "Yes," replied Bill, "yes, yes, I understand. She is safe here. I can do that. Okay. Thank you." He put the phone down and turned to the watching ladies. "It was Staff Nurse Hilda. Says she knows you from church?" Glad nodded. "Anyway," Bill continued, "Lacey left and they forgot her meds for pain. So I'll go now and get that. The doctor would like to see Lacey and the baby on Monday - just for a check-up. I can walk to work that day and leave the car for Glad."
    Bill looked down, brushing crumbs from his shirt. The kitchen and lounge were bright and sunny. Glad had put a dish of marigolds on the table and they glowed yellow and gold. She got up then to make them all a drink. The baby whimpered and Lacey picked her up.


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