Cold as Ice (Willis/Carter #2)(51)

Jackson sat up and began pointing and talking to the television. He turned to look at Jeanie and then looked past her, as if he were looking for someone.

‘What is it, Jackson?’

He pointed to the screen. He was agitated. He got to his feet and went over to Jeanie. His face was crumpling. He was still pointing at the screen.

‘What is it, Jackson?’

He came over to Jeanie and held on to her as he kept turning back to the television and pointing.

‘Is it Peppa Pig?’ Jeanie watched him. He seemed slightly calmer until Daddy Pig came back onto the screen. He twisted away and buried his face in Jeanie.

‘No. No, Daddy Pig. NO.’

‘What is it, Jackson?’ Jeanie lifted him onto her lap. He clung onto her so hard that he was pinching her arms. He shouted at the telly.

‘No . . . no! Leave Mummy alone!’

‘What is it, Jackson?’ He looked at Jeanie and his eyes filled. ‘It’s okay, Jackson.’ She switched off the telly. She cuddled him and led him across to the table. She sat him on the cushion on the chair again and she sat next to him. She picked up the crayons and hastily drew Daddy Pig’s head on a piece of paper: his head flat like a hairdryer shape, a few hairs around his chin, round black glasses. She drew a picture of Daddy Pig’s face and cut out the drawing and then picked up the bag containing the puppets and took some out.

Jeanie held two adult puppets near one another and placed them in front of Jackson on the table. He picked up the Mummy puppet and held it tightly in his left hand. With his right hand he pushed away roughly the male puppet onto which Jeanie had pinned Daddy Pig’s face.

‘No,’ he repeated.

‘What is Mummy puppet saying, Jackson?’

‘Mummy said, “No no no. Get out. Get out.”’

‘Did Mummy say this man’s name?’ She picked up the Daddy Pig puppet and held it at arm’s length for him to look at it. Jackson nodded. ‘What did she call him, Jackson? What’s this man’s name?’

He pointed to the puppet. ‘Daddy Pig.’

Tracy came out of the shower. Jeanie stood outside the bedroom door as Tracy got dressed.

‘I want to try another session with Jackson when you’re ready?’

‘Coming.’

‘We are definitely getting somewhere with him now, Tracy. I added another puppet; from the Peppa Pig cartoon. The puppet has Daddy Pig’s face pinned on.’

‘He loves Peppa Pig. He had a Peppa Pig toy when I first met them at the Christmas Fayre,’ said Tracy from behind the closed door.

‘Not any more. He just got very distressed when it came on the telly. He started shouting when the character Daddy Pig came on the screen. I think something about Daddy Pig reminds him of this man.’

‘I’m ready.’ Tracy came into the lounge and called to Jackson as she pulled out the chair at the table ready for him to climb into. Jeanie waited for Jackson to get settled. One by one she took three puppets: Scruffy, Jackson and Danielle. She asked the same question each time:

‘Who’s this, Jackson?’

‘Scruffy.’

‘Yes, it’s Scruffy, isn’t it?’ Jackson nodded. ‘Jackson, what colour is your front door?’

‘Pink.’

‘Did you see Mummy when you were standing at the front door?’ Jackson didn’t understand. ‘Jackson, who’s this?’ Jeanie showed him the Mummy puppet and the Daddy Pig puppet.

‘Where did you see Mummy talking to this man, Jackson?’ Jackson shook his head.

‘Where is Mummy now, Jackson? Do you know?’

Jackson looked around him, his eyes drifted skyward as he thought. A sad expression crept over his face. He shook his head again.

‘Mummy’s gone.’

‘Where was Mummy standing when you saw her last time, Jackson?’

‘Mummy’s in Jackson’s house.’ He frowned. He was thinking hard.

‘And what was Mummy doing?’

‘Mummy shouting. Mummy was very very cross.’ Jackson’s movements became agitated as he wriggled on the chair and flapped his arms in the air.

‘What was she shouting, Jackson?’

Jackson sat up straight in the chair and his face flushed crimson. ‘Get out. Leave me alone.’

‘Where were you, Jackson? Where were you when Mummy said that?’ Jackson looked out into space as he thought. Tracy watched in silence. Hardly daring to make a sound as she breathed in case it stopped Jackson.

‘Mummy said: “Go back to bed, Jackson. Stay in bed with Scruffy.”’ His eyes flashed to Tracy. ‘“Nanny coming.”’

‘Is that what Mummy said, Jackson? She said, “Nanny’s coming?”’ Jackson nodded. ‘What happened to Mummy then, Jackson?’ He tilted his head one way and the other but didn’t answer. He picked up the Scruffy puppet and kissed it. ‘Was Mummy on her own then, Jackson?’ Jeanie asked. He shook his head. His eyes went to the puppets. He reached out deliberately and picked up the one with the Daddy Pig face. He held it near his own face.

‘Leave Mummy alone. Leave her alone.’

Tracy screamed as her phone rang on the shelf. She wasn’t expecting a call. She sensed who it was and looked at Jeanie.

‘Quickly, Tracy. Remember, if it’s him – keep him talking. Ask to speak to her.’ Jeanie got up from the table. ‘Come on, Jackson, let’s see what Nanny’s got in her bedroom.’ Jeanie led Jackson quickly away.