Lights twinkled, as Kevin walked through the grove of tinsel draped trees. Gaily wrapped packages beckoned enticingly. He stopped by a large box, his hand stretched out in anticipation.

"No, Kevin. Those aren't yours. Come on."

His father's hand tightened. Kevin looked back longingly, but his sister urged him on towards Santa's throne. The present was better than any hairy, fat man, Kevin thought.

"Come on, Kevin!"

His sister pulled again, but Kevin tugged back, digging in his heels. For a little kid, he was fairly strong and Becky was pulled up short.

"What's wrong, Kevin?! Come on!" Becky groaned as the line lengthened. "Now look! Dad! He's not coming."

Pete turned to look at his small son  his shoulders hunched, his chin dropped to his chest, he glared from under a fringe of tousled, brown hair. Pete sighed. Like most four -year -olds, Kevin was stubborn and Pete had plenty of experience recognizing the signs. In the two years since Tanya's fatal car accident, he had struggled to bring up the children single-handedly. Sometimes it seemed impossible.

"Dad, can we see Santa now? Please?" Becky pleaded with the passion of a seven -year -old, her deep brown eyes looking adoringly at him. She knew he couldn't resist her in cute mode and turned on the charm accordingly.

"Yes, Becky, go line up. I'll bring Kevin."

With a triumphant grin and a flick of her long, blonde braids, Becky skipped off to join the excited throng near Santa's elves.

Pete squatted down to face Kevin. "Come on, buddy. What's wrong?"

"Don't wanna see Santa. Don't like Santa."

"Sure you do. He'll bring you a present if you're good."

"Don't wanna be good." Kevin scuffed his feet, squirming.

"Becky's going to be good," Pete coaxed. "See, she's going to see Santa." He pointed to Becky as the line crept forwards.

"Don't care. Don't wanna see Santa!" Kevin plonked onto the floor, his face thunderous.

"Fine!' Pete said in exasperation. "Don't see him! But you'll have to wait for Becky." Pete leant against the wall, wearily rubbing his forehead. Closing his eyes he wondered, yet again, if he had the strength to cope. As always, he decided he did, because he loved them too much to fail. He braced his shoulders, took a deep breath and turned to reason with Kevin.

"Kevin?"

Pete's heart thumped as he took in the empty space. "Kevin, where are you?" He looked around, trying to spot the sturdy little figure. He wasn't with Becky, in the line, or behind the trees. Pete quickly moved back through the grove, calling Kevin's name. No sign, no answer. Other adults looked around, alerted by the tension in Pete's voice. Heads shook sympathetically as he searched.

He returned to Santa's throne. Becky, blissfully unaware, was seated on Santa's lap, whispering excitedly into his ear.

Pete could feel his heart racing. His breathing quickened and he felt clammy. This couldn't be happening - Kevin surely wasn't far away - but as the minutes ticked away, his apprehension grew. Becky joined him, looking up in concern.

"What's wrong, Dad? You look funny."

"It's okay, pumpkin, but Kevin's wandered off." Pete ran his hand through his hair.

"He's missing? Is he lost?" Becky's voice wavered and her eyes glistened. Pete gave her a quick hug and shook his head.

"No, he's ... he's fine," he cleared his throat. "We'll find him. Come on, we'll get them to make an announcement."

"It'll be fine, Sir," the assistant said calmly. "If you could just wait here..." The P.A. blared. Pete paced. Time passed. The description was repeated. Pete felt sick, his stomach churning, and he swallowed repeatedly. Becky sat on a chair, sobbing. Pete patted her shoulder, then tightened his hand in a convulsive grip, as he heard a piercing "Daddy!"

He spun around. Kevin raced up and Pete joyfully swung him up into a bear hug. Becky hopped around in excitement, then tugged on Pete's shirt. He looked down, and Becky pointed to the attractive woman standing quietly to the side. Her blue eyes twinkled as she smiled and held out her hand.

"Hi, I'm Linda. I found Kevin." Pete grasped her hand with gratitude.

"Thank you so much. Where was he?"

"Busy lugging a parcel, as big as himself, down the escalator," Linda chuckled. "It took some persuasion to convince him to surrender it."

Pete looked down with raised brows. Kevin shrugged and grinned back, "I wanted a present."

"You must have been worried. He's a great kid."

"He sure is. By the way, I'm Pete and this is Becky." Linda smiled warmly at them.

"Listen, why don't I buy you a coffee to say thanks?" Pete found himself offering, unexpectedly.

Linda looked flustered, but then shrugged. "Sure, why not? That'd be lovely."

Turning, they walked from the grotto, talking and laughing. Pete's hand firmly grasped Kevin's and Becky skipped alongside. Just before they left, Becky turned and waved to Santa.

"Thank you," she mouthed, gesturing to Pete and Linda. Santa winked and tapped his nose. As Becky caught up, Kevin's voice floated back.

"Daddy, can I come see Santa again?"

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