"Yes, can I help you?" she said. This young man looked as if he would never be lonely, but she was quick to chase such unprofessional thoughts from her head.

The man pushed the door wide open and came in. He was casually dressed in a sweater and jeans, with a large camera bag hung over his shoulder. He had a small, grubby child clinging to one hand.

"I found this little stray outside," the man said. "Is he one of yours?"

"No." Immediately concerned, Kelly got up and hurried over to the child. "I’ve never seen him before."

"He’s definitely lost then, I’d say." The man extended his other hand. "My name’s Jack Barber, by the way. I’m a photographer, from the Forbestown Standard."

"Kelly," she said, taking his hand. It felt firm and strong. "Kelly Ashton. I’m the centre manager. If you were looking for a story, I guess you found one."

"The editor got a call from here this morning asking us if we could do a piece on the cottage," Jack said. "She sent me out to take a look. You and this little chap are the first living souls I’ve seen. Where are all the people?"

"I wish I knew. Perhaps they got lost as well." Kelly knelt down and gave the small boy an encouraging smile. "And what’s your name?"

The boy sniffed. He looked up at Jack, then back at Kelly. "Dillon," he said.

"Where’s your mummy, Dillon?"

Tears welled in the boy’s eyes, and he shook his head. Kelly judged him to be about three years old. There was no telling how far he had walked.

"Can you tell us where you live?" she asked.

Dillon pointed vaguely in the direction of the street. "Out there." he said.

"We’d better call the police," Jack Barber said. "This is a big estate. We’ll never find his mum otherwise. Should we get him a drink, or a nappy, or something?"

Kelly laughed. "I don’t think he’s wearing a nappy, but there’s some milk in the fridge, just through that door there. I’ll call the police."

Jack picked up the little boy and sat him on the reception lounge. "You stay there, little feller, I’ll get you some milk."

Dillon stared at them with big round blue eyes and shoved a grubby thumb into his mouth. Jack glanced at Kelly and they both burst out laughing.

"He is a cute little tyke, isn’t he?" Jack said.

So are you, was the thought that flashed through Kelly’s mind before she could check herself. But it was the truth. Jack Barber was one of the most handsome men she had ever seen – and he was looking at her with undisguised admiration.

Flustered, Kelly slipped behind the desk and picked up the phone. Jack went into the kitchen to get Dillon’s milk. She found her hand was shaking as she punched the number of the local police station into the phone.

Stop it, she told herself. It’s not as if you’ve never seen an attractive man before – but she had to admit he was the first to make her knees turn to jelly.

Before she could finish dialing the police, the door opened again. It was a young woman this time, in a very agitated state.

All the Lonely People - 3 (Continue)