Page 49 of Waiting for Ru
“No, you’re not. Don’t move.” Jasim glared at his grooms and stable hands. They might be gathered round looking worried but… “What the hell, you fucking idiots?”
“We were just messing around,” Ben said.
Poppy was on the phone and crying.
Jasim could feel rage building inside him. “Did you know he couldn’t swim?”
There was a chorus ofnos.
“Why would he come to the pool if he couldn’t swim?” Seb said.
Jasim’s fury leapt up a level. “Perhaps because he wanted to sit in the sun, or maybe was trying to be part of the group and make friends. Some friends you turned out to be. One of you get his sketchpad and pencils out of the water. You ruined that too. And get the towel and the lounger out. Bad enough to tip Ru in but to let the lounger fall on top of him… I’m appalled. Don’t think I can’t sack the lot of you. None of you are indispensable.”
Ru was trying to sit up. “No, don’t do that. They didn’t know I couldn’t swim. Well, I told Poppy but she couldn’t have done anything.”
“Keep still,” Jasim told him. “Your head’s bleeding.”
“It hurts.”
Kirstie handed Jasim a small towel and Jasim helped Ru into a sitting position and held the towel against his head. Bela appeared out of nowhere and flew to his side, cawing furiously.
“It’s okay, Bela,” Ru muttered. “Don’t worry.”
“Is that yours?” Kirstie made a whimpering sound.
“Not mine, but she’s with me. She’s under my care. Leave her alone. She won’t hurt anyone.”
Bela hopped onto Ru’s knee.
“Whose idea was it to throw him in?” Jasim asked.
“Mine,” Mike said.
“I’ll give you some credit for owning up immediately, but for fuck’s sake, Mike! I expect better of you.”
“We wanted everyone to join in the game to make the sides even. We didn’t know he couldn’t swim. Everyone can swim. I mean…” Mike’s voice trailed away as Jasim glared at him.
“Clearly not. All of you get your stuff together. Your break is over. I’ll consider whether you can be trusted to use the pool again.”
Ru’s eyes flickered closed and when it looked as though he might pass out, Jasim pulled him closer and called Mike back. “Mike? Go and make sure the paramedics know where to come when they get here.”
Mike nodded and ran off.
“I’m all right.” Ru opened his eyes again. “Oh, I didn’t know you had a twin.”
“Are you seeing double?”
“No. It was a joke. See? I must be okay if I can joke.”
“It wasn’t a funny joke.”
“I’m not even funny? Now I’m sad.”
“I’m going to teach you to swim. I want you here every afternoon at three.”
“Thank you. I can’t drive either. Want to teach me in your car?”
“Thatwasfunny,” Jasim said.
