Page 83 of Seven Days

A wish.

What’s a wish?

It’s when you ask for something and you get it. You might get it. What would you like, most of all?

He thought for a while.

To stay here with you, Mummy.

She had been worried about giving him a wish, since it would almost certainly not be granted. She could not provide toys or sunshine or a swim in a lake. It was a bitter irony that he had wished for the one thing that would actually come true.

Anyway, now she wanted to get him something more tangible. A real present.

The door opened, and the man came in. Seb was sitting on the end of the mattress.

‘I want to ask something,’ Maggie said.

He frowned. ‘Go ahead.’

‘It’s Seb’s birthday soon. He’ll be three, and—’

‘It’s today.’

‘Today?’

‘Yes. That’s why I’m here.’

Maggie stopped. What did he mean, that’s why he was here? To celebrate? Give Seb a gift? Surely not. She was surprised he knew it was Seb’s birthday, never mind bringing him a present.

‘You have something for him?’

He shook his head and held up his hands to show they were empty.

‘No. I’ve come for him.’

‘What do you mean, you’ve come for him?’

‘He’s three now. It’s time he left.’

Her mouth dried up. ‘Left what?’

‘Left here.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘The time has come.’

Maggie stared at him. ‘You’re letting us go?’

‘No.’ He licked his lips. ‘I’m letting him go.’

‘What about me? He can’t leave without me.’

‘He can. You’re staying here.’

Maggie tensed. She reached for Seb and held him in her lap.

‘No. You’re not taking him.’