CHAPTER ONE

      ‘PLEASE, Mummy … please …’

      The huge blue eyes were filled with such desperate longing, it was unbearable.

      ‘But it’ll be horribly crowded, darling. We’ll have to stand in a big queue for heaven knows how long.’

      ‘I don’t mind.’

      ‘We might be gone for hours.’

      ‘Misty doesn’t mind, either. Do you, Misty?’

      Another set of blue eyes but without the sparkle. Framed by the same gorgeous, golden curls, but this face was much thinner and there were shadows caused by the kind of pain no child should have to endure. The brave smile as this little girl shook her head in agreement was even more unbearable. It was enough to create the unpleasant prickle of tears at the back of Lizzie’s eyes.

      She swallowed them away with a skill born of long practice.

      ‘It’s ‘portant, Mummy. I have to tell Santa what me and Misty want for Christmas.’

      ‘Christmas is weeks away, Holly. Santa will be there every day from now on. It’s the first day of the big sale today and that’s why it’ll be so crowded. We could go next week.’

      ‘No-o-o.’

      ‘Why not?’

      ‘Cos it’s Santa’s first day and he might ‘member what I tell him and he might forget when he’s listened to lots and lots of other girls and boys. Me and Misty’s secret might fall out of his head, like things do for Nanna.’

      There was a snort from the corner of the room, but no comment. Lizzie hid a smile. She also stifled a sigh, trying to think.

      It would be overheated and stuffy in the famous department store, Bennett’s. There would be a huge queue with dozens of children waiting with their parents for their turn to sit on Santa’s knee and whisper secrets. Happy, excited, healthy children and she’d have to stand there for far too long. Feeling the pull back to this small hospital room. But if she stayed, she’d feel guilty. Holly needed her too and she was going to get even less of her mother’s time in the next few weeks.

      ‘For heaven’s sake,’ came a firm voice from the same direction the snort had come from. ‘Go, Lizzie. You’ll be seeing more than you want of four walls like this in a couple of days. I’ll stay here with Misty.’

      ‘Are you sure, Mum? You’ve done so much already today. You must be exhausted. How’s your hip?’

      The older woman smiled, looking up from a pile of felt fabric she was sorting in her lap. ‘I’m fine. Think about yourself for once, love. Go and have some fun with Holly. Bring me back some of that lovely Bennett’s shortbread and I’ll be happy.’

      Holly was whispering in her sister’s ear and Misty was nodding. Smiling as she whispered back. They both looked at their mother and the solemn expression on two small faces told Lizzie that the secret was of the utmost importance.

      She had to swallow hard again. Her two precious daughters who should look identical but were becoming more different every day.

      How ironic that she’d chosen Misty as the name for the twin who was fading away before their eyes.

      What was the secret wish that Santa had to know about as soon as possible?

      That this was going to work? That Misty would be well again?

      Hope might be a vital ingredient in what made something successful. Lizzie took a deep breath. She smiled.

      ‘Come on, then, Tuppence. Let’s go and see Santa.’

      Jack Rousseau had no idea whether he was heading in the right direction.

      Why on earth had he thought he might as well pop into Bennett’s because it was right beside the bank and get finding