Leo stood in front of a bright blue building. The sign above the door said SEND Den Morecambe. He squeezed his mum's hand.
His mum knelt down and opened the door wide. Laughter rolled out like a warm tide. Colourful cushions tumbled onto the mat.
Inside, a boy spun in a wobbly chair. Another built towers with giant foam blocks. Leo shrank behind his mum's leg.
The rug was soft under his toes. But everything felt too loud. Leo thought, I don't know if I can stay.
Leo stepped forward and poked a stack of rainbow books with one finger. A small boy slid over holding two chunky crayons.
"You can have one," the boy said. Leo took it. The crayon was warm from being held.
Leo drew a wobbly yellow circle. The boy stamped a blue handprint right in the middle.
They both stared at the mess and burst out laughing. Leo's shoulders dropped. He sat cross-legged beside the new friend.
The next week, Leo came back. The door was already open, and the same boy waved from across the room.
He pointed to the quiet corner with the beanbag and fairy lights. "You can sit there," he called.
Leo climbed up and curled into the beanbag. The fairy lights flickered golden around him. He smiled.
It wasn't too loud here. It was just right.
