I turned my back and my son was GONE FOREVER

Lucy Herd wasn’t sure how she’d ever face the world again after losing her toddler

- FRANCESCA WOODSTOCK

When my son Jack was born, he was my rainbow baby. I was already a mum to Joshua, then 11, and Ellé, seven, but then I experienced six devastating miscarriages, and I grieved the loss of each little life.

Friendship, talking and a strong cup of tea helped me through the darkest days and I had a big yellow teapot, which injected a ray of sunshine whenever friends came over to chat.

When Jack came along in September 2008, his birth was the rainbow after the storm. As he grew into a toddler, his personality shone through. He was funny, mischievous, caring and so lovable, he even blew kisses to strangers at the supermarket. While I’d never forget my lost babies, his smiley face brought me so much joy.

But then, when Jack was just 23 months old, my life changed in a way I could never have imagined.

One life-changing moment

On 27 August 2010, my phone rang as Jack sat playing on the kitchen floor with our dog. I picked the phone up and started chatting to my friend, turning my back for a moment – but, when I turned back, Jack and the dog weren’t there. I hung up the phone and called Jack’s name as I stepped out into the garden.

Then I saw the dog, perched at the edge of our large fish pond, and my heart sank. I just knew Jack had fallen in. the pond and found Jack lying face down, completely still. I screamed out for help, hoping someone would hear me.