Ryan shook his head as he turned to his mum. ‘It’s wasn’t Spencer’s fault.’
‘That’s right,’ said Leo, stepping through the opened doorway, leaving his mum and Chris standing behind in the hallway, peering inside at the commotion. ‘Captain Spencer isn’t to blame.’ He flapped his cape and nodded at Ryan. ‘We were playing statues on some small rocks. I stepped off okay, but Ryan slipped and landed on his arm.’
‘And I was happy I bruised my arm,’ said Ryan.
Annette’s eyes widened.
Harry pulled his son closer. ‘Ry, why would you say that?’ he asked gently.
‘Because I don’t want to swim, and if having a bruised arm helps keep me out of the pool, then I’m glad.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me, Ry?’ Harry slowly turned to his wife.
‘I told Mum, but she won’t listen to me.’
‘He’s being ridiculous,’ said Annette, lowering her voice.
Harry looked at Ryan. ‘Just so we’re clear, do you or do you not want to be a swimmer?’
Ryan’s head bobbed slightly from side to side. ‘I hate it, Dad.’ His little voice cracked, which caused Bonnie to shed a tear. ‘I want to be like you when I grow up. I like wildlife and photography, and—’
‘Oh, so I have you to blame for this, do I?’ Annette glared at her husband. ‘You’ve turned him against his dream just so he can grow up to travel the world with you, taking silly snapshots of animals.’
‘We both know this is your dream,’ said Harry calmly. ‘Come on, love, it’s time to let this go. You’re the swimming champion in our family, and one we’re proud of, without an Olympic medal. Let our son choose his own path now. You gave him the best chance, but it’s clear it’s not for him.’
Annette turned to her son. ‘Tell the truth, Ryan. No one believes you don’t want to swim.’
‘He doesn’t,’ said Leo, standing in one of his superhero poses. ‘He told me.’
‘Well, I don’t believe it,’ snapped Annette. ‘Nor do I believe my son wants to be a wildlife photographer.’
‘It’s true,’ said Ryan, looking nervous. ‘I don’t want to be a swimmer, Mum.’
Spencer could feel his blood starting to boil. Poor Ryan didn’t want to swim, and his mother wasn’t listening. ‘Why don’t you listen to him? He doesn’t like swimming.’ His own mother flashed through his mind.
Stop making him do things he doesn’t want to. Why can’t you be a decent mum and look after your kid for once. He needs you, but all you think about is yourself, you selfish cow.
Debra touched his arm, bringing him out of the trance he had fallen into with Annette, or rather, his own mother.
All he wanted was to yell at Annette for being so uncaring, for not helping her child, and for holding the same smug look in her eye that his own mother used to have, but he knew he couldn’t say his thoughts out loud, and he had to get a grip on the trigger that had just rattled him. Annette wasn’t his mum, no matter how selfish she was acting, putting her own wants and needs first. He took a silent calming breath, releasing all memories of his mother.
Leo approached, wrapping his cape around Spencer’s leg.
‘I’m not listening to this anymore.’ Annette got up, swiping her coat from the back of the chair.
‘Wait,’ said Harry. ‘This gets sorted right here and now, for Ryan’s sake.’ He gestured at their son. ‘From now on, he gets a say in his future, and if he doesn’t want to train for the Olympics, then he won’t.’
‘But—’
‘No buts,’ said Harry. ‘Ryan’s mental health comes first, and making him do something he clearly doesn’t want to do is affecting him. Jeez, Netty, he freezes at the poolside.’ He held Ryan’s hand. ‘And if this centre is the only thing making him happy at the moment, then it’s best he stays a member. He has told me all about the kindness festival, and how he’s excited to take part. It seems to me the only time our Ryan is smiling is when he talks about Spencer and the centre.’ He turned to hischild. ‘You can stay, son, and you don’t have to worry about swimming anymore, and if your mother has anything to say about that, she can speak to me.’ He softened his gaze at his wife. ‘In private. At home. Come on, love. Like I said, it’s time to let this go.’
Annette swung her handbag over her shoulder and huffed. ‘Fine.’ She looked at Ryan. ‘If you truly don’t want to swim, then you don’t have to.’
Ryan’s sad eyes widened in surprise. ‘Really?’
Annette didn’t look too happy about it, but she gave a brief nod. ‘I just didn’t want your talent to go to waste. But, if that’s what you truly want.’
‘I do.’
