Run For Cover by Graeme Hampton

Author:Graeme Hampton [Hampton, Graeme]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hera
Published: 2022-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

It all sounded so good. Perhaps too good… Turning out perfect-tuned children who would conveniently blend into wider society without drawing attention to themselves. Where were all the negatives? The acknowledgement that children like Jake had behavioural issues that could be challenging, and even the best school in the world was going to struggle to meet his needs.

‘Dr Bedford was right when she said it’s kids like Jake that suffer when resources start dwindling in mainstream schools,’ Claire said, reading his thoughts. ‘We’ve lost two support staff this term, and they’re not going to be replaced.’

‘I sympathise, Claire, but I’m still not convinced this route is right for Jake. He’ll have to face adult life eventually, and he won’t be able to do that if he hasn’t spent his formative years in a conventional environment. Yes, it’s a good school. I just feel uncomfortable at the thought of singling Jake out as being different.’

She shook her head. ‘I thought the exact opposite. The school will prepare him for what’s ahead and help him to find the best way of dealing with whatever life will throw at him. He needs the best chance for a good start and I think he’ll get that from a school like that.’

Denning wasn’t sure. Part of him agreed with her that it was a good school, but that didn’t mean it was right for Jake. Ever since he’d received the diagnosis of Autism, they’d tried to keep things as normal for him for as long as possible: not making him feel different to other children. But as time had gone on, it had proved to be harder and harder to keep things normal. His behaviour had become more challenging.

‘We need to discuss it with Jake,’ Denning said. ‘Ask him what he wants. Maybe take him along to the school to meet the staff and get used to the place. But it has to be his call.’

Claire looked at him as though she was about to disagree, then smiled. ‘Yes. That makes sense. At the end of the day, it’s got to be his decision.’ She sighed. ‘It’s just… I sometimes feel we’re placing too much on his young shoulders. He just wants to fit in and get on with other children. I really think this is the best place for him to do that.’

Denning didn’t reply. A silence fell upon the table. Eventually Claire changed the subject. ‘How are you coping without Sarah being around?’

He smiled. Hadn’t Anna asked him that same question just the other day? ‘To be honest, I’ve been so busy, I haven’t really had time to miss her.’

‘Oh yes. That young woman’s murder. Is that one of yours?’

‘You know I can’t talk about it.’

‘I’ll take that as a yes.’ She smiled. ‘It was always work with us, wasn’t it? You were so ambitious, and that ambition somehow got in the way of us.’

He could sense they were about to start raking over very old coals. Reliving the final days of their marriage as though another bout of naval-gazing would somehow result in a different outcome.

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