‘Bacon’s burning,’ called Jax, standing over by the makeshift kitchen.
Spencer sprinted to the stove to save the rasher just in time. ‘I’ll have this one. It’s only a little charred.’
Jax shook his head while laughing. ‘I’ll have the next one.’
Leo groaned. ‘I should be fed first. I’m injured.’
Ryan patted his shoulder. ‘You grazed your knee, mate. You’re not dying.’
‘Ooh, you won’t be able to go rock climbing now,’ said Jax.
Leo frowned. ‘Yes, I will. Look.’ He started bending and straightening his joint. ‘See, all good.’
‘Proper superhero, you are,’ said Will, putting the first aid kit away. ‘Healed so fast, it’s almost a miracle.’
‘My mum says healing takes as long as it takes.’ Leo pulled a cereal bar from his pocket and broke it into pieces to share.
His words made Spencer wonder how long it would take for Beth to feel healed enough to go home. She’d be back at work at some point, and life would change for them all. The thoughtof not seeing her each day saddened him, so he focused on his present moment, making sure no more bacon got burned.
The boys sat around the fire with their drawing pads, designing their own badges to show Luna, and Will was cleaning the kitchen area while quietly singing a sea shanty.
Spencer could feel his phone in his jacket pocket tormenting him. Normally, he wouldn’t feel the need to call anyone. He went over to Will for a chat to clear his head, but it was as though the man could read his mind.
‘Itching to call home, eh, Spence?’
‘What makes you think that?’
‘Your face.’
Spencer rubbed his jaw. ‘It’s all a bit weird, if I’m honest. I’m not used to worrying about anyone except Lottie. Now I’ve got this lot always on my mind and Beth and Archie.’
‘Ah, the joys of caring.’
Spencer breathed out a quiet laugh.
Will put a stack of plastic mugs away. ‘I never had a family before, what with being raised in care. Ginny’s the only person I’ve met in all my life who feels like home, and now we’ve a nipper on the way. I won’t lie to you, Spence, I have my moments where it scares the hell out of me, but the good stuff we have is stronger than the fear, and just one look at my Ginny grounds me.’
‘Spencer, what do you think?’ called out Ryan, holding up his drawing.
‘I still think Captain Spencer sounds better,’ said Leo.
Spencer shook his head. ‘Spencer is just fine. Now, let’s see what you’ve created.’ He sat between Ryan and Leo, and Leo placed one part of his cape over Spencer’s knee. ‘What’s that for?’
‘In case you’re missing Archie and Miss Horton.’
It was quite possible Spencer’s heart melted a touch, but he sniffed, straightened his back, and paid attention to the lad’s drawing.
‘My dad misses me whenever I go anywhere,’ said Jax, shading his picture.
‘I don’t think my mum cares about me,’ mumbled Ryan, but everyone heard.
‘Of course she does,’ said Spencer. ‘She’s your mum. All mums care about their kids.’ Why he said that was anyone’s guess, as he knew full well it wasn’t true. He was sure his own mother had hated his mere existence most days. Shaking off the memory, he offered Ryan a reassuring smile.
‘Can we toast our marshmallows now?’ asked Leo, and Spencer thought it the best plan, seeing how the mood had dropped.
Before long, more hot chocolate was poured, marshmallows eaten, and ghost stories told. Spencer was sure Leo wouldn’t sleep after Jax told a tale of a severed hand in a school library murdering children on detention, and it took a while to get them settled into their sleeping bags. Will sang to them while Spencer sat by the fire, staring absentmindedly into the flickering flames.
It was soothing sitting in the dark, with not much going on. He closed his eyes for a moment, absorbing his surroundings.
