Chapter 1
Spencer
‘Lobster? You’re allergic to lobster?’ Spencer Jordan frowned at the boy gazing up at him.
‘I had it on a cruise ship last year, and Mum said my cheeks turned pink.’
Spencer scribbled in his notebook. ‘I’ll make a note. Anything else, Leo?’
Leo pushed the dangling cord of his red cape into the corner of his mouth as he shook his head.
That was a relief. Being placed in charge of three ten-year-old boys with anxiety was going to be tough enough, without adding allergic reactions into the mix. Spencer was pretty sure Leo wouldn’t come across any lobsters while out and about earning Sunshine badges.
Spencer’s new setup at the Sunshine Centre to help build confidence was off to a good start, and he was so pleased some of the kids there had agreed to his idea, thinking it fun.
The woman in charge of the centre, Debra, smiled warmly as Spencer glanced her way. He hadn’t long joined as a health care worker, helping to mentor children, and couldn’t help out full-time due to his work commitments at his flower shop. He sighed inwardly, wishing he could help the children lose their anxieties straight away, but he knew it would be a process. Even though he was soon to turn thirty-six, he could still remember the fears he had as a child, especially when he was placed into the care system.
Spencer had yet to learn everything about the kids under his watch, knowing only some parts of their backstories and concerns. One thing he did know for certain was, children needed support, and that was something he could offer buckets of. They had joined the respite centre to help bring them peace, and Spencer was keen to be part of their healing.
‘I’ll leave you to it,’ said Debra quietly, her bright eyes offering reassurance.
‘What colour are the badges?’ asked Leo, still chewing on his cape.
Spencer’s plan was to get his friend Luna to rustle up some on her sewing machine. He glanced around at the array of colours in the arts and crafts room where they sat. ‘All different.’
Leo looked over at the accordion doors that led to a large patio in the back garden, where a small nature reserve resided along with an allotment. ‘Will any involve nature?’
‘I like nature,’ said Jax, his dark eyes only focused on Leo.
Spencer nodded at the boy while putting his notebook away in his brown satchel his sister had bought for him for his new job. Lottie was extremely proud of him the day he came clean about his secret studies in mental health care for children. He’d kept his evening course to himself, letting people think he was doing what he used to do with his life: hitting the town most nights just to have one-night stands. He just wasn’t comfortableletting anyone know his plans until he had them set in stone. It was a new chapter in his life, and he wanted to enter it gently, without fuss.
He turned to the third boy in his care. ‘What about you, Ryan? Any badges you’re looking forward to receiving?’
Ryan shrugged. ‘As long as it’s not swimming,’ he mumbled.
Leo flapped a corner of his cape so it covered part of Ryan’s knee. ‘Wish I could swim.’
Jax wrinkled his nose. ‘You go on cruises with your mum every year.’
‘I’m not in the sea. I’m on the ship.’
That didn’t seem to help Jax. ‘What if you fall in?’
Leo’s grey-blue eyes held the softest of smiles. ‘A mermaid would save me.’
Jax scoffed as Ryan frowned. ‘You don’t actually believe they exist, do you?’
‘Have you ever seen one?’
‘No, but—’
Leo interrupted his friend. ‘Then how would you know?’
Ryan grinned.
‘We can start earning badges today if you like,’ said Spencer, interrupting the conversation he knew was about to go off in all directions.
‘I don’t mind.’ Leo shrugged at Jax. ‘If it’s easy.’
