Page 63 of Waiting for Ru
“Okay.”
“Don’t tense up.”
“Right.”
Ru amazed himself when he managed to swim the length. His breathing was all over the place but he’d done it!
“Well done! Not pretty, but you swam!”
“What do you mean, not pretty?” Ru whispered.
“Don’t fucking tempt me. I’m on a knife edge here. One last thing before we get out. Treading water. It will keep you afloat if you can’t swim. Body stays upright, head above the surface and you use all four limbs. Move your arms horizontally and cycle your legs. Try.”
Ru let go of the side and did what Jasim had said.
“You don’t need to be so violent with your legs and arms. You’re wasting energy. Rhythm is the key.”
“Is it the key to everything?”
Jasim groaned. “Stop it. There are lots of different things you can do with your legs. If you get tired, you can float and just do minimal movements. But I don’t want you to get over-tired. Swim to the shallow end and that’s enough for today.”
Ru could feel himself moving more easily through the water when he completed the last length. There was still a touch of panic in his strokes because he knew he had to keep moving to stop from going under, and he still wasn’t getting enough air when he breathed in, but his delight in discovering he could swim kept the smile on his face.
He clambered out and wrapped his towel around him.
Jasim joined him. “You did really well. I’m obviously a great teacher.”
Ru laughter. “That will come in handy. Later.”
He watched Jasim’s Adam’s apple move up and down, and shivered.
“Before you go back, I have a surprise for you,” Jasim said. “I’ve arranged for you to shadow the vet next week. You can watch his equine nurses. Maybe even give them a hand.”
Ru knew his jaw had dropped, but he couldn’t shut his mouth.
“I talked to Leigh and he says you need five GCSEs at a C grade or higher to train to be an equine nurse. He runs a TP, a training practice, so spending a week there might give you the chance to see if you want to be a nurse or a vet. Three of the grooms here have qualifications in equine care, but I think you’d be better at Leigh’s place for a while.”
Until Jasim had said the last part, Ru hadn’t been able to believe how lucky he was. Now he thought Jasim wanted him out of the way.
“You’re wrong,” Jasim whispered.
“About what?”
“I’m not getting rid of you. I want you to see what opportunities are out there. I want the best for you.”
“What about Bela?” If Jasim said he had to take her, Ru would know.
“Will she stay here if her cage is here?” Jasim asked.
“If I tell her to.”
“I’ll look after her.”
Ru managed a smile.
“I have a match next Saturday in Leicestershire. Leigh will be there. He’ll bring you to watch. You can come back here afterwards with the others.”
“All right.” Ru turned to go and Jasim tugged at his towel.
