Ru huffed. “They didn’t know I couldn’t swim. They were just fooling around.”
“They shouldn’t have assumed. And it might have been fun for them but not for you.”
“No. Did you tell everyone about me?”
Jasim frowned. “I’ve said nothing. Why?”
“I guess they found out for themselves. It’s okay. It was never a secret I could keep without changing my name.”
Jasim wondered what had been said. While he wanted the paramedics to hurry, until they arrived, he had a legitimate reason to have his arms around Ru. That was the good news. The problem was that he was trying very hard not to think about the fact that he had his arms around Ru. He sighed in relief when he heard the siren.
“You can let me go,” Ru said.
Actually, he wasn’t sure that he could.
But when the paramedics appeared at their side, Jasim’s arms finally cooperated and he allowed the experts to take over and tape Ru’s head. Ru kept saying he was grand in his soft Irish accent, answered no to all of their questions and they helped him to his feet.
“He needs to be watched,” one of the paramedics told Jasim. “That’s quite a bump.” He turned to Ru. “If you feel dizzy or you can’t see properly, or you pass out, then you need to seek medical attention.”
As the paramedics left, Ru turned and Jasim caught hold of his arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“To get changed and go back to work.”
“Did you not hear them say you had to rest? You shouldn’t be left alone for twenty-four hours after a concussion.”
“I’m—”
“Don’t you dare say that you’re grand. I’m not taking the risk. You’re going to rest in a guest room.”
Georgia came rushing up. “What’s happened? I passed the ambulance leaving as I was pulling in the drive. Oh, the bird? What’s going on?”
“The crow is Ru’s. Ru was tossed into the pool by the bunch of idiots I employ to look after my horses. A fact that I find rather worrying. He cut his head, lost consciousness and needs to be watched for twenty-four hours in case there are complications.”
Georgia gave an exasperated sigh. “What were they thinking?”
“They were just messing around,” Ru said. “They didn’t know I couldn’t swim.”
“You can’t swim?” Georgia winced.
“I don’t think so.”
She frowned. “Maybe it would be better if you went to stay with someone. A friend or a relative. I could drive you.”
“He can stay in the house. You can watch him when I can’t.”
“I’m sure I—” Ru began.
“No discussion,” Jasim said. “You’re my responsibility. Georgia, please stay with him while I go and get his clothes from his room.” Jasim held out his hand. “Is your key in your pocket or at the bottom of the pool?”
Ru pulled the key from his pocket.
“Which room? Shall I bring Bela’s cage?”
Ru nodded and winced. “First on the left past the main room.”
“And when I get back, you’re going to tell me how you got those bruises. And Georgia? If he suddenly deteriorates, call 9-9-9.”
Jasim slipped into the house to change out of his wet clothes, then hurried down to the accommodation. He let himself into Ru’s room and closed the door. Everything was tidy. No clothes strewn around. He swallowed hard when he saw the starry duvet cover because it reminded him of how young Ru was. When he saw the sketch lying on the bed, he picked it up. Jasim looked more carefully at the drawing. Ru had captured the fierce determination on both his face and Dream’s, and there was the hint of a smile. Jasim was fairly sure that was Ru’s imagination. His heart thumped hard.
