Jax frowned. ‘Then how come you don’t race anymore?’
Ryan sighed. ‘I’m not sure I want to swim, but my mum wants me to. It’s my talent, and she says I shouldn’t waste it.’
That was a lot of insight for Spencer. He stepped closer to Jax. ‘We won’t be rushing into anything here. In fact, we’re not even going to think about swimming or schools or speaking to people we don’t know. All we’re going to do is learn some new skills, have a bit of fun, and take each badge as it comes. Like right now. Let’s get these pictures ready to take home later.’
Jax went back to his easel, but the atmosphere had changed in the room, and Spencer knew the boys were nervous again.
‘We’ll even go camping one day,’ he added, hoping it might light a spark.
Leo was the first to smile. ‘Like proper Scouts?’
Spencer nodded. ‘Of course. We’re the Sunshine Centre. We even offer rock climbing.’
That perked Jax up. ‘I want to go rock climbing. Will it be as high as a mountain?’
‘Probably not,’ replied Spencer, pleased to see the mood lift.
‘Can we do photography?’ asked Ryan, hazel eyes fixed on his picture.
‘Don’t see why not.’ Spencer already knew that Ryan’s dad worked away a lot as a wildlife photographer, so he could see why the boy would be interested in such an activity.
‘And dig for fossils,’ said Leo, flapping his cape over one shoulder.
‘We can do that over the road from my shop in Port Berry.’ Spencer mentally searched the harbour, figuring out the best section for the task.
‘Or here in Penzance,’ said Jax, pushing his dark hair out of his smiling eyes.
‘We can explore both places.’ Spencer beamed on the inside at their enthusiasm. ‘And while we’re near my shop, you can earn a badge for flower arranging.’
It didn’t hold quite the same level of excitement as the fossils, but still, it was something Spencer always found calmed him, so it was something to add to the growing list.
Debra appeared, waving him over. ‘How’s it going?’
Now the boys were talking activities, rather than about prison or anxieties, he felt it was going quite well. Raking a hand through his copper locks, he smiled. ‘Good.’
They both knew it wouldn’t always be that way, as life at the large building designed especially for people with disabilities, those in need of emotional support, and anyone wanting respite often had its hiccups along the way. Both Spencer and Debra knew the lads weren’t entering some sort of get-well-quick scheme. The whole centre was created to help and calm, not pile on pressure. There was even a sensory room and soft play area.
Leo, Jax, and Ryan had willingly joined Spencer’s badge scheme, and he was on a mission to help keep them grounded at all times while reducing their anxiety levels as best he could through the art of fun. There wasn’t an endgame as such. Just time with someone understanding and compassionate, like his aunt had been. He’d made a plan, hit the ground running, and was already off to a great start. Yep, this year was going to be all about peace, balance, and harmony.
Chapter 2
Beth
Beth woke drenched in sweat again. It was still dark out, and her exhausted body refused to get out of the damp bed, as shivering seemed a better option. Her eyes could barely open, and all thoughts of having a great start to her day evaporated the moment she realized she’d hardly slept at all.
The bedroom was small and dull, pretty much how she felt as she forced her weary limbs to move. Perhaps if she just changed her nightie she could grab another couple of hours before her baby woke for a feed.
Turning to face the sleeping boy, she held nothing in her brown eyes but weariness. How were other mothers glowing? Catching a glimpse of her tall thin frame in the floor mirror as she stood, she was sure all she held about her was death warmed up. Not what she expected the start of her thirties to look like.
Archie murmured, causing her frown lines to deepen. He was three months old. He had to sleep through at some point. If only he could sleep some more right now.
Clutching the end of the white cot, she waited, praying he’d settle, as she needed sleep. So much sleep.
The baby appeared peaceful enough, so she set about getting changed into another cotton nightdress, wrapping a cream dressing gown over the top.
The bed was still damp, and it would have to stay that way, as she was exhausted. She covered the bottom sheet with the quilt, then flopped on top, closing her eyes, hoping for more rest.
What if something happened to her in the night? Her heart could stop beating, or her body could spontaneously combust like that woman in the magazine she had read about the day before. Perhaps a brain tumour was to blame for the shakes shefelt when trying to sleep. Something was sure to happen. She would be gone and her baby taken away to who knows where.
