roat. My heart raced with every passing second, fear

thought of anything happening to Amelia sent waves of anxiety crashing o

rring my vision. I blinked them back, refusing to give in t

ught, my mind racing. Wha

ut my phone with Amelia's photo. "Please, sir, have y

se sent my heart sin

se scenarios. Kidnapping, accidents, harm.

r Mummy," I whispered, my v

the responses were all the same – no one had seen he

kind-faced woman approached me. "Ma'am, have you s

inted east. "I think I

ting my face. "Really?" I asked,

s, go that way. I'm s

wed by determination. I woul

short-lived, as anxiety crept back in. "Please, was she with anyone wh

e little comfort. "No, she was

s. As I continued eastward, I called out to Amelia, my voice

as on the right path. They all corroborated the woman's story, but

ued searching. But the silence was deafening.

eaming down my face. Frustration and despair overwhe

thought, regret and self-blame was

, a tiny voice pierced th

um

at. I slowly turned a

you," Amelia exclaimed, her smil

ng away my tears. I swept Amelia

a tight hug, relief washing over me. "Thank heaven yo

d me, her face radiant. "I'm so

in my eyes. "I'm more glad," I sai

ce as I asked, "Why did

ve. "Mummy, I didn't wander off. I

you could have done was tell me you wanted to see Barney,

emories of our sepa

"You got me so worried and scared. I thought something t

ident. "I'm so sorry, Mummy. I d

apology. I took a deep

ou won't do something like this ag

, determination shinin

nd stood up, grasping her h

e, grateful that Amelia was safe and sound. No harm had

mark. I vowed never to let go of

ered to the ordeal we'd just overcome. Amel

e and nice man today," she

us. "Let's talk about it later, baby

in disappointment. "But why can't

get to a safe place first, like a hotel. Then

oice laced with frustration. "

suring her. "I know, baby. But

, and the driver's voice c

?" he asked, his e

a sense of relief

ur luggage as I held Amelia clo