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 what he has 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.
‘Quite right,’ she told him. ‘Leo has been all smiles since he started here.’
Spencer sank on the inside, knowing he would have to inform Bonnie of her son’s close call with a full-blown panic attack in the park earlier. He swallowed hard, thinking it best to deal with one parent at a time. ‘Annette, Ryan is doing really well. He enjoys the activities and has no problem getting involved with any task set.’
Annette scoffed. ‘Of course he doesn’t have problems. There’s nothing wrong with him.’ The glare in her cool eyes as she looked at the other children was somewhat rude. ‘My son is gifted. He’ll be an Olympic swimmer one day.’ Her glare moved to Ryan, who shied away.
‘He’s doing really well,’ said Beth, pushing her pram closer to the huddle. ‘I saw nothing but confidence in him today.’
‘And who are you?’ snapped Annette.
‘She’s Miss Horton,’ said Leo. ‘A teacher.’
‘Well I don’t need a school teacher to tell me about my son, thank you.’ She pointed at Spencer. ‘I left him in his care because Ryan’s coach recommended this place to help reduce stress.’
Spencer moved to Beth’s side. It was nice of her to step in, and he knew she had the experience to handle aggravated parents a lot better than him, but he had to deal with the issue himself. ‘I can assure you, Ryan is doing really well.’ He spotted the boys out the corner of his eye, nodding.
‘I hope so,’ said Annette, turning her back on Debra when she tried to speak. She placed a hand on Ryan’s shoulder and guided him towards the main entrance. ‘If I don’t see results soon, I’ll try some other form of therapy. One way or another, he’s getting back in the pool.’
Spencer opened his mouth to speak, but she’d stormed off. It was time to deal with Leo’s mother. ‘Bonnie, may I have a word?’
Leo took her hand. ‘It’s all right, Mum. I just got triggered in the park, but Miss Horton made me better.’
Bonnie’s gaze was on Beth. ‘Erm . . .’
‘We did some breathing exercises,’ Beth told her.
‘I calmed myself,’ said Leo.
Bonnie pulled him in for a hug. ‘And it worked?’ As soon as he nodded, she beamed at Beth. ‘Thank you so much. We’ve been working on some techniques at home, but it’s always good to have more in the toolbox, right, my little lion?’
Her cub held a look of proudness.
Bonnie turned to Spencer. ‘What triggered him?’
‘Donkey,’ said Jax, glancing at his dad.
Everyone knew what that meant, and Bonnie cupped Leo’s face as though checking him for marks.
‘I’m okay, Mum.’
‘One day that kid will get his karma,’ she told him.
‘Meanwhile,’ said Chris, Jax’s dad, ‘how about we buy some comics at the sweet shop to celebrate your wins today?’
Jax pointed down the hallway. ‘We wanted to do some painting.’
‘But comics sound good,’ said Leo.
Chris nodded. ‘Okay, let’s do some artwork and then go shop.’ He looked at Bonnie for confirmation, waited for a nod, then led the boys away.
Bonnie turned to Spencer. ‘Was Leo really okay? We don’t see any of the bullies often, but whenever we do, it’s a trigger. We’re thinking of moving away. In fact, it’s only this place that is keeping us close. Leo absolutely loves it here.’
Spencer smiled warmly. ‘He did really well with the breathing Beth taught him, gaining back control, and we think he’s an asset to the centre. We’re lucky to have him.’
Bonnie looked relieved. ‘He’s so excited to be part of the festival, and he can’t wait to go camping.’
‘That’s good to hear,’ said Debra. ‘We just want the centre to bring peace for people.’
Bonnie nodded. ‘It does. Take no notice of Ryan’s mum. Everyone flourishes here. You’re all doing a wonderful job.’
‘Thanks, Bonnie,’ said Spencer. He watched her head off to the arts and crafts area, then turned to Debra, wondering if she had anything to say about Leo or Ryan.
Debra lightly patted his shoulder. ‘You okay?’
‘Yeah. I’m fine, thanks.’
Debra peered into the pram. ‘So, this is Archie, eh?’ She smiled up at Beth. ‘Good to put a face to both your names. Spencer told me all about you when he came to collect the boys earlier.’
He saw Beth’s footing shift. He hoped she didn’t think he was going around telling people about the pram on the doorstep business. ‘I might show Beth around while she’s here. Give her a proper introduction to the centre.’
Beth’s smile looked a tad nervous. ‘I might like to join myself,’ she told Debra.
‘You are more than welcome.’ Debra left them to it, heading back to her office.
Spencer whispered close to Beth’s ear. ‘I didn’t tell her our business.’
‘Oh, erm, thanks. I appreciate that.’
He smiled softly, motioning one hand forward. ‘I think you’ll like it here.’
‘You do feel welcome as soon as you hit the car park and see the large colourful flowers painted on the walls.’
‘Yes, they really stand out on the white building. Here, let me show you my favourite room first.’ He opened a honey-coloured door, revealing an indoor tranquil garden. Tall leafy plants and a trickling water feature were by one wall. A large silvery orb twinkled in the constant stream of clear liquid.
Beth parked the pram by a big cheese plant and stroked over the top of one of the two large cream comfy chairs.
Spencer encouraged her to sit while he flicked a switch by the door that sent the soft music of wind chimes into the room.
Beth’s eyes widened. ‘Ooh, these are the kind of chairs you fall asleep in.’
‘I have done.’ He laughed and joined her.
‘It really is peaceful in here. It’s giving me ideas for my flat. My cousin’s house is quite colourful, but I think I prefer these earthy tones.’
‘Bring some nature home. That’s what Debra says.’
Beth slipped off her boots and curled her feet up on the soft seat. ‘Are you really okay, Spence? It was a lot today, what with Leo, then Ryan’s mum.’
He removed his own footwear and relaxed back, stretching his arms above his head. ‘Yeah, I knew it would come with the role.’
‘Knowing and experiencing are two different things. Parents, another thing altogether.’
They shared a smile.
‘Ryan’s mum is the type to expect instant results, but it’s early days for the kids. I won’t rush their process here. The whole point is to have fun, chill for a bit, and show them they can do whatever they want to when they put their mind to it.’
‘Not sure Ryan has a lot of choice.’
Spencer rolled his head her way and smiled. ‘I’m glad you were with us today. They like you.’
‘I like them too. They’re a nice bunch.’
‘If you do want to join here, you can as a member or volunteer. Some people here are both.’
‘It does seem like it would be beneficial.’
‘I don’t want to put too much on you. I know you want to talk baby banks with my friends at dinner.’ He followed her gaze over to the trickling globe.
‘I don’t want to volunteer here, just come visit this room from time to time.’ She laughed for a moment. ‘I never thought about how healthy peace could be before my head cracked up.’
‘Your head didn’t crack up. You were just put through something traumatic.’ He reached over and lightly tapped her hand, wondering why he felt the need to touch her at all. ‘I know it’s early days for you as well as the boys, but how are you feeling lately?’
‘Much better now I have a label for my condition. That helped massively. I’m sleeping soundly since being at yours. Not sure if that’s me or your comfy mattress. Perhaps it’s just because I don’t have to do any late or early feeds for Archie.’
‘You don’t have to do any of them. Lady of leisure, remember?’
It was nice to hear her chuckle. ‘Thank you, but I like holding him while he drinks his milk. He always looks so content, and it feels kind of special having him in my arms.’
It was a feeling that had grown on Spencer quite quickly. ‘I know how you feel.’
‘Has the shock of finding out you’re a father left now?’
He shrugged. ‘I suppose. It’s still a little surreal, if I’m honest, but I’m taking it one day at a time. How was the shock for you when you found out you were pregnant?’
‘It took a while for me to come to terms with it, but then I settled in to the idea of becoming a mother and started to get excited, and a little scared of what was happening with my body. And I had some moments where I felt alone.’
Sitting up straighter, he took her hand. ‘I’m glad we’re in this together now.’ He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. ‘And I’m looking forward to working side by side with you at the Hub.’ Her smile seemed warmer than usual, or maybe he was looking too deeply.
‘Your team haven’t agreed yet.’
‘Oh, wait until you meet them. They’ll be all over it. The cost of living is terrible, and babies cost a fair bit.’
They both stared at the pram.
‘I hope they say yes, because I’m looking forward to getting started. Since I met Jan, I’ve received a lot of support. It would be nice to give something back to the community.’
Spencer realised he was still holding her hand. He casually slipped back into his marshmallow of a chair, trying to look composed. ‘Shall we just have a kip here until little man wakes for his bottle?’
Beth grinned. ‘I like your style, but won’t Debra mind?’
‘Nah, she has a snooze in here too sometimes. I think everyone here has at some point.’
‘Well, if it’s the done thing, then why not!’
He watched her curl up into a ball and close her eyes before closing his own, relaxed once more in her company.
Archie whined, and they both sat up and laughed.
‘Well, it was good while it lasted,’ he told her, standing to fetch him. ‘Go back to sleep,’ he whispered, reaching for the baby bag. ‘I’ll be back soon.’
It seemed as though she was going to dispute the suggestion, but her eyes fluttered to a close, and she snuggled back down. With the bag slung over his shoulder and Archie secure in his arm, he managed to place a baby blanket over her lap before heading to the kitchen to sort his milk, where he knew his son would receive a ton of fuss from the cake-decorating class taking place. He glanced once more at Beth as he closed the door, warmth fluttering through him.