‘I was wondering if Max is there.’
‘Max?’ His mum sounded understandably confused.
‘Yes. I wondered if he wanted to go skating.’
‘I... I’m sure he’d love to. I’m about to drop him off to the rink anyway—it’s one of his volunteer nights. Why don’t you meet him there?’
‘Great. I’ll bring him back and maybe could we talk?’
‘Of course.’ A pause and, ‘Are you OK?’
‘Yes. I think so.’
Half an hour later Liam arrived at the roller-skating rink, aware of nerves and a sense of the surreal, aware that this ‘everyday’ activity felt like a step into the unknown.
‘Liam. Hey.’
Max walked towards him, a shy smile on his face, and he reali
sed that, despite his casual bearing, his stepbrother had been waiting for him.
‘Hey. Hope this is OK.’
‘Sure. It’s cool. Mum says you’d like a skating lesson.’
‘If that’s OK with you?’
‘Let’s get you sorted with some skates and we can get started.’ Max gave a sudden grin. ‘I teach a group of four-year-olds some days... I’ll give you the grown-up version.’
Liam pulled the skates on, watched as Max followed suit, saw how confident the teenager was. ‘Right. Don’t try to do too much too soon. To start with, balance against the wall and move how you can. Next you need to let go and waddle like a penguin.’
‘Hey, what happened to the grown-up version?’
‘I meant waddle like an adult penguin,’ Max said, deadpan, and Liam gave a snort of laughter.
‘Like this?’
‘Perfect.’
‘OK. Whilst I practise my waddle, why don’t you show me how it’s really done?’
‘Sure.’ And then he was off, and Liam’s jaw dropped as he watched Max weave in and out of the throng of customers in an incredible display of speed and agility before zooming back.
‘That was incredible.’ Liam shook his head. ‘I know there’s no way I’ll ever be able to do that, but if you could coach me so I can at least do a circuit that would be great.’ He glanced around. ‘I know you’re working too.’
He watched, saw how professional Max and the other skate guards were, watched the speed skating and realised Max had a real talent. And throughout Max came and offered encouragement and help until, ‘I’ve got it,’ Liam crowed.
‘You have. You’ve clicked. Now it’s all about practice and I’m pretty sure you’ll get up to a good speed in no time.’
Liam held out a hand. ‘Thanks, Max. You’ve been great. I appreciate it.’
By the end of the evening Liam had a happy sense of achievement, felt a connection to Max that he genuinely hoped to build on.
‘Did you have fun?’ Bea asked as they arrived back.
‘It was cool,’ Max said as he headed upstairs.
‘Definitely cool,’ Liam agreed.