It killed the tension immediately, especially in Spencer, Beth could tell. His shoulders drooped and his lips parted.
Ryan came around the bench to face his friend. ‘Come on, Leo. Let’s get out of here.’ Beth watched him curl the cape further around Leo’s shoulder, then point his litter grabber out in front. Jax placed his on top, then Leo did the same. ‘Sunshine Superheroes,’ he roared, making Leo snort.
Beth placed her cold hands on the handle of the pram as she stood, as it seemed lunch was next for them. She turned to Spencer at her side as the boys headed off in front. ‘That could have gone a lot worse.’
Spencer nodded. ‘Where did you learn the breathing technique?’
‘Jan has been teaching me ways to relax and take back control. That one is the natural art of sedation. Longer breaths out, shorter ones in. I can teach Leo another one later.’
‘You can teach me. I think I need it after that.’
‘That horrible man scared him so much.’ She took the brake off the pram and started to follow the boys out the park.
Spencer shook his head. ‘It wasn’t him. Shouldn’t be head of a group of kids with that crappy attitude though.’
Beth kept her eyes on the boys in front, seemingly in good spirits now. ‘If he didn’t scare Leo, what did?’
‘Rufus Doncaster.’ Spencer thumbed behind him. ‘The mouthy boy. He was one of the kids that used to bully Leo. Got so bad at one point, Leo ended up in hospital, and another kid was arrested, but Caster got away with it. He’s that alpha type that gets his mates to do the dirty work for him.’
‘Caster?’
‘His friends call him that. Those that hate him call him Donkey.’
Beth muffled her laugh with one hand. ‘Oh, that explains that name. I thought Ryan was just insulting him.’
‘He was.’
Beth felt her heart go out to Leo. What a terrible trauma he had to face. ‘Do you think he’ll be okay?’
Spencer shoved his hands into his pockets and pulled out a pair of dark gloves. ‘Hope so. He loves being home-schooled, and he’s happy at the centre.’ He handed over the gloves. ‘Here, wear these. Your fingers look blue.’
They were starting to feel in need of some warmth, and Spencer’s gloves certainly provided that, apparently in more ways than one, seeing how her heart just fluttered. Probably the adrenaline from helping Leo stay calm.
‘Thanks for helping, Beth.’
She smiled over at the boys. ‘It’s okay. I know how it feels. Let’s thank Jan for teaching me some coping strategies.’ She certainly was grateful for them when Leo was in need. How she remained calm was beyond her, as she was sure her own panic might have wanted to join in.
Spencer leaned playfully into her arm. ‘You did good, Miss Horton.’
That silly heart flutter was back again.
Chapter 15
Spencer
Debra called Spencer over as soon as they were back at the Sunshine Centre. ‘All okay? You look a little—’
‘Excuse me.’ Ryan’s mum, Annette, interrupted them. ‘I brought Ryan here to help him get over this swim fright he seems to have acquired lately. The respite is supposed to help him feel calmer.’ She folded her arms in a huff. ‘His coach said he’s not seen any improvements poolside.’
Ryan’s cheeks flamed. ‘Mum!’ he said through gritted teeth.
One pink fingernail waved him away. ‘Shush, Ryan. Mummy’s talking.’
Debra gestured at her office. ‘Would you like to come inside for a chat, Annette?’
‘Not really.’ She pointed at Spencer. ‘I want to hear whathehas to say.’ Turning to bring the other parents into the conversation, she added, ‘I’m sure we all want to know how these silly badges are helping our children.’ Ryan’s lanyard was flicked, causing him to step back and frown.
Leo looked down at his own. ‘They’re not silly,’ he said quietly, then glanced at his smiling mother.
