LOSS AND GAIN

GAIN  By Tessa Harvey     Angela woke first. She glanced at the wall clock, sighed and quietly edged from the bed. Resisting the urge to leap down the stairs, instead she headed to clean up the kitchen. Task accomplished, she had a quick wash and combed back her long dark hair.     The lounge looked reasonable. The youngster tidied up scattered cushions, moved some books and lego and tucked Timmy's toy zebra in his small chair.     Just then the doorbell chimed. Without thinking, Angela walked on her hands to the door, trying to open it with her bare foot. She found herself gazing up at a tall boy, the perfect image of her dad, looking also like Robert, Paul and Timothy.     Astounded, she stumbled and an elderly lady caught her.     "Hi lass," she said, cheerfully. "Any chance of a cuppa?" Will, Jack and I will help if that's alright?" She smiled brightly.  There was a thunderous tumble of pounding feet on the stairs and three...

GAIN (continued) By Tessa Harvey     "No, absolutely NOT, No!" Jason Moore was furious and hadn't realised he was virtually shouting. This was the fifth time these people had contacted him in the last decade. He had had enough. His children were special. No, he did not need another son.     "Just a moment," Will seized onto this hint of weakening and motioned to Jean and to Jack to pray......but Jason had sensed that he was no longer alone and glanced over his shoulder. No-one in the lounge. Placing the phone nearer his ear on the point of saying "NEVER," he just knew he was not alone. It was very quiet, too quiet.     The stairs led upwards and he looked up and felt his heart breaking. His youngest son was nearest, but crouched, flinching as soon as their eyes met. Then after Timothy, Paul looked almost as scared. Robert met his gaze accusingly and between the stair rails, Angela's head upside down, as usual.     "You will get stuck," h...