And the fear of seeing him vulnerable for the first time in my life.

I walked right into the infirmary when I got to Kingsley Davies Academy to see my stepson Xavier. He was still soaked, swaddled in a thick towel.

“Xavier, what happened, love? What was that sudden collapse you had?” I said, looking at him worriedly.

Xavier emitted a quavering breath, his entire body shaking. “Someone pushed me, Mum.”

“What?! ” My voice slipped out sharper than I meant, disturbing even the nurse in the room.

Xavier shivered and tightened his fingers around the towel, his face pale and his lips slightly blue. I knelt next to the...