Chapter 2:
Aaron's screams echoed throughout the tent. Still bleary-eyed and half asleep, a tired Claire wandered over to Aaron's cradle and lifted him out. She fed him and changed him, walked onto the beach and slowly started to sing her favourite lullaby.
"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Never let it fade away
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Save it for a rainy day". Aaron's eyelids closed but Claire remained oblivious to that as she carried on singing softly.
"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket"
"Save it for a rainy day" Sang a familiar male voice. Claire looked up to see Jack smiling at her and Aaron.
"Oh, Jack, I'm sorry did Aaron and I wake you? I'm…" She broke off as Jack interrupted her.
"Claire, it's ok, calm down, I'm always up at this time. I can never get to sleep. You should know that by now" Jack said "How's Aaron anyway? "
"He's ok," Claire said "Just let me put him back in his cradle, we should talk" She did what she said and came and sat next to Jack at the fire.
"So, he's looking very healthy, very strong, especially given the conditions here. You're raising him well. How are you feeling, Claire? Are you eating and sleeping well"
"I'm good" Claire beamed, feeling happy that her son was well, and that someone other than Charlie was talking to her and praising her parenting skills. "So how did you know the words to Catch a Falling Star?" Claire asked, "It isn't the most popular of lullabies" she added.
"My parents used to sing it to me, My Dad mainly, especially when he came back from his business trips."
"My Dad used to sing it to me too, if I was ever lucky enough to see him. He was normally in L.A, where he lived. Then when I was about eight, he stopped visiting, I didn't see him again until I was much older…" Claire trailed off awkwardly, not wanting to share that memory with Jack at all, she laughed nervously, trying to move away from the subject "And here's me sharing my life story with you, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bore you or anything"
"No problem" Jack grinned, feeling probably the happiest he had in a long time. It was a nice feeling just to be talking to someone, rather than prescribing medication or trying to "fix" somebody.
An awkward silence followed, as both Jack and Claire gazed into the flickering flames of the fire, both of them deep in thought.
"I saw you and Charlie singing to Aaron today." Claire said, breaking the silence.
"Oh, I'm sorry you had to witness that." Jack said wittily
"No it was nice" Claire smiled, "It can't be as bad as Charlie's Driveshaft lullaby.
Jack chuckled, "You'd better not let Charlie hear you saying that."
Claire smirked in reply, and looked away. Suddenly out of the corner of her eye, she saw a male figure who was whispering something inaudible to her. It took a couple of steps forward and continued to whisper what sounded a lot like:
"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Never let it fade away
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Save it for a rainy day".
Claire frowned in confusion as she took a few steps forward,
"Claire? What are you doing? Where are you going?"
"Shh" She whispered and beckoned Jack to her side, puzzled, Jack joined her as they both stared at the figure.
"Is he singing…What I think he is?" Jack asked
"Catch a falling star?" Claire replied softly "Yes I think he is"
Jack lowered his eyebrows and frowned, looking puzzled. The two exchanged similar looks and ventured forward. The figure turned around slowly…
"You!" Claire hissed angrily