Her Guardians Lost(68)

“I knew it had a funny name like that, but I couldn’t remember what it was.”

I felt the euphoria wash over me as the tears stung my eyes. I couldn’t help it. I grabbed Simon in my arms and hugged him for dear life. “Thank you so much for looking after him for me.”

Simon pulled away and I saw the emotion in his eyes. This was obviously affecting him as much as it was me. “I’m sorry you didn’t get him sooner. I found him on the floor of the hospital that night and I recognised it as yours. I asked the nurse where you were and she told me your uncle had taken you home. I didn’t know what else to do so I asked my uncle to look into it for me, but then he got called away.” Simon paused, swallowing hard. “Well…you know the rest. By the time everything had happened, I had kept the bear for so long, I didn’t know what else to do. To be honest, I was a little selfish. I had just lost my sister, then my uncle. Mr. Wigglesby seemed to offer me solace somehow.”

Seeing the smile on his face as he stared at the bear had me wondering. Without thinking, I handed the bear back. “Here, you keep him. You’ve had him longer than I have, so I think he needs you more than me.”

Placing his hand on the bear, he pushed him back towards my chest with a shake of his head. “No, Cassie. I don’t need him anymore. He needs you now—and I think, if you’re honest, you need him now, too.”

So Simon knew I was sad, but he didn’t question why. All I could do was smile and offer him another hug. He accepted it and we stood there for a while, sharing our losses with each other.

We pulled away from each other and he told me he had to get back to work. I wasn’t sure what was going on between Simon and me, but we just seemed to get closer and closer. The lives we had lost, the moments of grief and joy…we shared them. I knew Simon was my dearest friend. He certainly had me as a friend for life.

With a contented sigh, I looked down at Mr. Wigglesby, then nuzzled into his fur. He felt just how I remembered from all those years ago. I smiled at him and flicked his nose with my finger. “Well, let’s be going, Mr. Wigglesby. Poor Simeon is waiting in the car for us, and I’m dying for you to meet him.”

I swiftly tucked him into my chest and walked back towards the car. Although this was a sad day, I couldn’t help the overwhelming feeling of gratitude. I had great friends and family who would do anything for me, no matter what. How could I not be grateful for that?

As I got to the car, I swiftly pulled the handle and slid myself in. “Sorry I took so long. I didn’t mean to.”

Simeon shook his head with a wink. “That’s okay, Cassie. Did you manage to do what you had to?”

Nodding, I stared down at Mr. Wigglesby with a smile. “Yes, thank you.”

“Who’s this you got?” he asked, pointing towards the teddy.

For some strange reason, I fell silent. I wanted to tell him the name, but I couldn’t get the words out. In the end, I just said, “He’s a teddy bear. Simon gave him to me.” It confused me as to why I felt the need to hide what he was to me.

“Are you ready to go?” Simeon asked, breaking me out of my trance.

“Oh, yes—sorry. It’s been quite a day. I just hope I did her justice.”

Grabbing my hand, he tenderly kissed it. “You did really well, Cassie. I’m sure her mother would be really proud.” Pausing for a moment, he smiled cheekily. “Listen, if you behave yourself and are really good, I may let you shine my truncheon later.”

All sad thoughts were gone as my mouth curved up into a wicked grin. Slapping his hand away, I tut-tutted. “You’re disgusting, Simeon.”

He shrugged indignantly. “Well, it worked, didn’t it?”

“What?”

“You don’t feel so sad now, do you?” He smiled, making it all better.

Letting the warmth of his presence wash over me, I sighed. “No. Not anymore.”

“Good,” he said, starting the car. “Maybe my magic is working, after all.”

I shook my head and stared out of the window. The rain was starting to fall, bringing a new sadness that Stephen couldn’t be here with me.

The car ride was silent as I sat and thought about all our memories. Stephen was one of those people who were unforgettable. Everything I wanted wrapped up in one package.

“I know you think about him a lot.”

Turning toward Simeon, I nodded, then turned to stare back out of the window.

“If it makes you feel any better, I know for a fact that he’s always thinking about you. He will never leave your side, Cassie. I can guarantee it.”

Sighing, I closed my eyes, gripping them tight so the tears didn’t run. “I know, Simeon. Thank you for telling me. I just miss him so much.”