Maxine's story

We'd stopped to buy some sweets in Woolworths. I let go of Helen's hand to open my purse. I turned round. She wasn't there.

I thought she couldn't be far away. It had only been a minute. (In those days Woolworth's had high counters with room between where a small child could easily hide.) Looking round the nearest counters, I called her name softly. There was no reply. Now I was beginning to panic. I searched further away and called her name louder… Nothing.

Where was she? I was really worried. Perhaps she could've gone back to the car, parked outside the back. I dashed outside, but she wasn't at the car. In that time she could've gone out of the front entrance. I rushed outside to the market square. No Helen anywhere.

I turned back into the shop and ran up and down aisles shouting her name. I stopped people to ask if they'd seen my little girl. They just shook their heads. I continued my flight. I couldn't stop running.

A young man suddenly stopped me.

'Have you lost a little girl?'

I nodded.

'There's one playing about in the photograph booth'

I raced across to the booth, flung back the curtain

There she was. Happy. She was pulling faces at herself in the mirror.

The relief, the absolute joy.

I hugged her so tight. I vowed I'd never let go of her hand again.

Helen is grown up now and doesn't remember getting lost in Woollies, but I'll never forget the day I thought I'd lost my little girl.