What Child Is This

by Rhys Bowen

“I know you find it hard being cooped up in the city, what with the bombing and everything, and you’d rather be in the country with your sister. But I can’t leave my job, can I?

Grab your coat, Maggie, love. We’ve got fire on either side. We have to get out while we can.”

“You want me to join a bucket brigade?” Jack shouted back. “Too late for that, mate,” came the reply. “The whole bloody street’s going up. Go on. Move it.”

“He came, Maggie.” The child’s face was alight with excitement. “Father Christmas. He did know I’d moved back here, and he came. Look. Presents. He brought me presents.”