The Lost Boy (Harry Styles)

7

"What does it say?" Mark asked.

"Louis, can you sit with Harry a minute please?" Jay said. Louis nodded as Jay put Harry on the sofa. She picked up the newspaper and went into the kitchen followed by Mark.

"Sit down."

They both sat at the table and Jay took a deep breath.

"The body of a young woman was found yesterday in a wood in Manchester. Her name has been confirmed as Anne Styles, aged 30. The cause of death is not yet known, but it is suggested that it was murder.

A dog walker found the body. She is married, but police have so far been unable to contact her husband." She put the paper down.

"Shit." Mark sighed. "We need to call the police and let them know."

"Yeah. Poor Harry. What if he saw it happen? I mean, we don't know how long her body has been there."

"I really hope he didn't see it. Would explain a lot though. I'll make that call." He stood up and took his phone out of his pocket to make that call.

Jay went back into the living room. Harry was on Louis' lap, crying his little heart out.

Jay sat down and Harry clambered across onto her lap.

"Oh Harry." She said as she hugged him, trying to comfort the little boy, who was shaking uncontrollably.

"Mummy? What happened?" Louis asked, looking extremely worried.

"Nothing for you to worry about Lou." She smiled, half heartedly.

Mark came back in. "They're on their way." Jay nodded.

********

A short while later, Rita arrived with another detective.

"You have some news?" She asked.

The boys were both napping upstairs.

Jay handed the newspaper to Rita, who looked at the front page.

"We think she's Harry's Mum. He freaked out when he saw the photo." She said.

"I know of the case. Police are searching her house right now. Seems the husband is uncontactable at the moment."

"She was murdered right?"

"It looks like it. I can't give you any more details, until we know for sure. We'll have to take a swab from Harry to match their DNA. I'll get someone over tomorrow." Rita said as she took notes.

"Sure. Then what happens?"

"We'll be in contact. Try to stay calm for Harry's sake. If it is his Mum, he's going to need you to be strong. Ok?"

Jay and Mark nodded.

Rita left and the couple sat in silence for a while, until they heard Harry crying.

"I'll go." Jay said, she kissed Mark's cheek as she she walked past and up the stairs.

"Hey love. Come here." She said, sitting on Harry's bed. He crawled into her lap and sucked on his thumb. He whimpered tiredly.

"You poor little love." She said quietly as she stroked his hair.

"Mummy." Louis whispered from just inside the door. "Is Harry alright? He was crying again."

Jay motioned for him to come closer to her. He stood beside her and she put her free arm around him.

"He's not ok. Something bad happened, but we're here to make sure he's loved and looked after." She replied, sadly.

"I can help look after him. I can play with him and try to make him smile." Louis said. He really did think of Harry as a little brother.

"Thank you Lou. That would be a big help. He's going to need lots of love and cuddles too."

"I can do that too."

Jay smiled. "You're such a good boy." She pulled him closer and hugged him, making Harry move a bit on Jay's lap. "I'm going to put him back to bed now." She stood up and put Harry back into his bed.

"Can I stay with him to make sure he's ok?"

"Of course love. Don't disturb him though. See you in a bit."

"Ok Mummy. I promise to be quiet." Louis got in the bed and faced Harry. He didn't touch him though.

Jay left the room and went back downstairs. The news was just starting on the TV.

Jay sat next to Mark.

"How is he?"

"Asleep. Louis' looking after him." She sighed, moving closer to Mark.

"I dread to think what he might've seen. No wonder he's in such a state. Poor boy." Mark said.

*******

The rest of the day was quiet. When the boys came downstairs, they sat and watched TV, well, Louis watched, Harry stared at the wall. He tried talking to the boy, but got no response. God knows what was going through his poor little mind.

Jay and Mark were increasingly worried. The sooner they find out for definite that the woman in the news was his Mum, the better. At least they'd know, and  then the healing process could start.

Well...poor Anne.

Thoughts on the chapter?

What will happen to Harry?