The Slow Lane Walkers Club by Rosa Temple

Author:Rosa Temple
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Published: 2022-05-26T00:00:00+00:00

22

Daniel lowered the seat of the pink bicycle so that it was a good height for Hazel. It was days until the next coastal walk and they had arranged a time for Hazel to practise her cycling.

‘We won’t go far,’ he’d said. ‘You won’t need to change gears or go very fast. As soon as you feel unsure just pull the brakes and I’ll be right beside you to help you out of the saddle.’

With the bike all ready for her, Daniel waited in the front garden for Hazel to venture out of the house. He’d bought her a brand new helmet, bright pink with a swirling orange design around it. He’d hoped it was colourful enough. Hazel had loved it on sight, trying it on right away.

‘Here I am,’ said Hazel. She came out of the house with her walking stick, wearing her new helmet and a matching pink tracksuit with the ankle cuffs tucked into her socks. It was a mild May morning, ideal for a bike ride. ‘I’m not so sure about this anymore, Daniel.’

‘Don’t worry and don’t doubt yourself,’ he said. ‘We’re just going to walk to the quiet cul-de-sac around the corner. You can practise your balance and I won’t let go of you for a second.’

Hazel nodded but she looked sceptical. Around the corner, Daniel set up the bike so that it was facing the middle house in the cul-de-sac.

‘Just put your stick down, Hazel, and I’ll help you up.’

Hazel was unsteady on the bike and Daniel took the strain of her weight against his chest while trying to help her balance. He had aimed the bike towards a bushy hedge in front of the middle house.

‘As soon as we’re upright, just pedal,’ he said. ‘Aim for the hedge. I’ll be right at your side.’

‘I can’t seem to balance the way I used to,’ said Hazel. ‘It used to be so instinctive. I think I might be wasting your time, Daniel.’

‘Don’t worry, Hazel. I’m here for you.’

Daniel could feel her struggle to remain upright. She fell against him several times, tutting in disappointment at not being able to manage the first basic stage – balance. She puffed and panted occasionally as the physical strain on her small body became a challenge. Her feet slipped off the pedals and she looked at Daniel in despair.

‘It’s fine,’ he said. ‘Even if you don’t manage to pedal at all, at least you got up on the saddle and that’s a start. We’ve got plenty of time.’

Hazel wobbled on the bike a few more times but trying to stay stable enough to start pedalling was proving difficult.

‘The great thing about cycling is that you have no pressure on your bones,’ said Daniel. ‘Just imagine being able to get around and not having to use a walking stick.’

Hazel nodded at this. Supported by Daniel’s chest and his hands on the handlebar and the back of the saddle, she sat upright, both feet on the pedals. For a split second she had the bike steady.

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