troubled teachers

Chapter 4

"I still think it looked nice long," Emma remarked and she and Henry stepped out of the barber's recommended by Phillip Morris on Saturday afternoon.

"I like it," Henry said, a genuine smile on his lips for the first time in days as he ran his finger through his newly short hair. "Thanks Mum."

"You're welcome," Emma smiled. "Do you fancy some rollerskating now or do you want dinner first?"

"Rollerskating first I think," Henry said. "Otherwise I'll be all sluggish."

Emma nodded her agreement and the two of them walked the short distance to the seaside promenade, Henry swinging his roller blades from his fingers as he went. They chatted normally for the first time since they had started at Storybrooke and both felt lighter for it. Whatever they had gone through, Emma and Henry had always been able to rely on each other and both were feeling the strain of Henry's teenage hormones and the divide that had grown between them.

Once they reached the promenade Emma quickly found a shaded bench near the lighthouse and sat down. Henry booted up beside her and was soon pushing off. Emma watched for a while as her son zipped up and down the smooth tarmac, weaving in and out of other visitors enjoying the afternoon sunshine. Soon, Emma pulled out her book and began to read.

"Hey, Miss Swan."

Great, Emma thought. That didn't take long.

"Why hello Felix, Peter," Emma said as she looked up at the two teenagers standing before her, a pair of roller blades hung around Felix's neck. "Are you enjoying your weekend?"

"Yep," Felix nodded. "Is Hen here?"

Emma scanned the sea of people before her until she picked out her son who was skating backwards, at speed.

"He's showing off over there," she said, pointing the boy out.

"Thanks, Miss," Peter said as he and Felix headed towards Henry.

Emma watched with a slight smile as her son's new friends greeted him. She couldn't hear the conversation but they seemed to be impressed with his skating skills, slapping him on the back and admiring his blades. Felix sat down to put his own ones on and joined Henry, the two of them racing each other up and down the promenade as Peter watched, sat on the back of a bench with his feet on the seat.

Emma became so immersed in her book she never saw what actually happened. But the shout and following cries drew her attention quickly enough. Looking up, she jumped to her feet as she watched Henry untangle himself from a pile of limbs just as Felix skated off, Peter running behind him.

Rushing over, Emma helped Henry up and began her apologies.

"I'm so sorry!" Emma exclaimed as she turned to the elderly woman who was now sitting on the floor. "Here, let me help you."

"Thank you," the old woman said, reaching out for Emma's proffered hand and slowly getting to her feet.

"My son, he wasn't looking where he was going. I'm so sorry," Emma repeated, trying to check the woman over for any signs of injury. She couldn't see anything. "Are you alright?"

"I think so," the woman said, straightening up properly and glancing over her body. "Probably just a bit bruised."

By now a small crowd had formed around the group, intrigued pedestrians eager to get a taste of the drama. Henry was standing nearby, wobbling slightly on his skates and looking guilty.