Lost Christmas by David Logan Page A

Then he looked straight at Anthony, desperation on his face. ‘Do you know where it is? I’ve been looking everywhere for that.’
    Anthony shook his head. ‘Sorry. I didn’t stay long enough to see that.’
    â€˜So do it again,’ pleaded Frank, thrusting out his hand. ‘Please!’
    Anthony looked at Frank’s outstretched hand as if it was a red-hot poker he was being asked to hold by the glowing end. But it might well have been. A poker probably would have hurt less.
    â€˜It’s a wind-up, Frank!’ said Goose. He turned on Anthony. ‘Tell him! Tell him how you know. You could’veasked someone.’ He alternated his focus between Frank and Anthony. ‘People know you’ve been looking for it. You’ve asked around. Someone told you, that’s all.’
    â€˜No,’ said Frank, shaking his head. ‘No one told him. He saw it just like he said.’ Frank emphasized his hand, which was still outstretched. ‘Please.’
    Anthony stared at Frank’s hand. The last thing in the world he wanted to do was take hold of it, but he knew he was going to. He summoned up the courage from within and slowly he put his hand out. It hovered just over Frank’s. The last few centimetres were the hardest. Scared Anthony might change his mind. Frank grabbed his hand and held on to him tightly. Anthony reacted immediately. He drew in a sharp breath and then a violent jolt rippled through him. Then another. His eyes grew wide and his mouth opened to scream but no sound came out. Then he started shaking as if gripped by palsy. His eyes rolled back so only white was showing. He emitted a strangled gurgle and his legs buckled beneath him as he dissolved into a heap on the ground. Frank let go as he fell away. Anthony hit the ground with a resounding thud and didn’t move. Goose and Frank stood over his inert form.
    â€˜Bloody hell, Frank. I think you’ve killed him,’ said Goose.
    Frank crouched down and was about to pat Anthony’scheeks because he’d seen that in a film once, when Goose stopped him. ‘I’m not sure you should touch him again.’
    Frank froze, realizing that Goose was right. Instead, he leaned over him. ‘Anthony? Can you hear me? Anthony?’ After a moment, Anthony groaned and Frank breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Oh thank God, he’s not dead. Anthony? Wake up.’
    Anthony’s eyelids fluttered open and it took him a moment to focus on Frank and Goose. Frank helped him to sit up, making sure only to touch his clothing. He sat him back against the wall and tried to control the eagerness apparent in his voice. ‘What happened? What did you see?’
    Anthony said nothing for several long seconds. His mouth was dry.
    â€˜Did you see it?’ asked Frank. ‘Do you know where it is?’
    Anthony hesitated again before nodding his head ever so slightly.
    â€˜Tell me,’ said Frank. And then more insistently, ‘Tell me what you saw.’

13
WHAT ANTHONY SAW INSIDE FRANK’S HEAD …

    The first thing Anthony saw was a younger, happier Frank. He was lying on a wide bed with his wife, Alice. Anthony looked around at the room. It was clear they didn’t have very much money, but what they did have had been spent well. They had made a little go a long way. There was a sparkle to everything in the room, as if he was seeing a rose-tinted memory. Alice was heavily pregnant, about ready to pop, and Frank had his head next to her belly, reading to their unborn child. He was reading from
The Happy Prince
.
    â€˜â€œHigh above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy Prince. He was gilded all over with thin leavesof fine gold, for eyes he had two bright sapphires, and a large red ruby glowed on his sword-hilt …”’
    Alice looked down at Frank and stroked his mane of thick hair as he read. A deeply contented smile played on her lips. The same