I’m sitting on a bench, putting on my rollerblades. James is watching me. “You’ve got to strap your ankle tight. But not too tight. You still need to be able to move it around. Can you do that?”
I loosen the skates again… James kneels down to help me. He takes the rollerblade and adjusts it. He grabs my foot with his other hand and positions it inside the skate. “Tell me, do you know how to tie your shoelaces? This is not dissimilar.”
I laugh. “Yes, I should be able to manage. I learned just a couple of weeks ago, but I should be able to do it.”
I finish putting the blades on and stand up. I lose my balance straight off. James is holding me up. He seems very steady on his feet. He’s like a rock. “Let’s go, shall we? I’m right beside you.”
I put my feet out like a duck and push myself f
