What goes around comes around (Lily’s Story) Read Online Free PDF Page A

indicate
the contrary.  You’re going to have quite a bruise there.” He points at my
forehead.  “I suggest you think about putting some ice on it,” he says before turning
and walking stiffly away into the men’s changing rooms. In retrospect I don’t
think I could have handled the situation worse if I tried, and I regret my
ridiculous response as I watch him disappear again.  With my mind filled with
my latest instalment of hideous embarrassment, I move to finally enter the
changing rooms, when Stuart sees me and calls me over.  I sigh before walking
slowly over, wondering what else could possibly go wrong today.
    “Hey, Lily, I was thinking about you today,” he says as I
approach, before peering at me closely and adding, “Have you done something to
your head?”
    “You were?” I reply, frankly amazed anyone ever thought
about me when I wasn’t physically in their face.  I choose to ignore the
observation about my latest injury.
    “Yeah, we’re putting together a fundraising event for a
family whose five-year-old has been diagnosed with leukaemia, and I thought you
might be just the sort of person who’d like to get involved.  It’s no big deal,
really, just a three peaks type challenge, but with big hills rather than huge
mountains – we thought we’d go up to the Peak District to do it so it’s a
bit more of a challenge, but it won’t be too hard.  I know you’ve got kids, so
I thought you’d be up for it.  The added bonus is that it’s also great exercise.
 And since you’ve been going great guns in here, I thought it might be just
your thing.”
    “Oh, I don’t know,” I mumble, taken aback at the thought of
being included in the challenge.  “I’m afraid I’d just hold you back.  I’m not
really fit enough yet.”
    “Nonsense, you silly mare,” he laughs, “don’t worry about
that. We already have a real mix of people coming.  Some of them are gym
regulars, but some are the newbies like you.  Pat’s coming, and she’s much less
fit than you are,” he adds.  “We’ll just make sure the group is split so those
who want to go fast can go ahead, and those who don’t can do it at their own
pace.  It’s only over three days, and we’re going to stay in a local house that’s
near the peaks we’re planning to walk, so you’ll even get a little holiday
while you’re at it.  It’ll be perfect.  I’m sure we’ll manage to have a giggle
in the evenings,” he says with a wink which can only be described as naughty. 
I can’t help myself smiling back at him.
    “I don’t know,” I hesitate, mentally listing all the reasons
why it would be virtually impossible for me to even think about taking off for
a few days on my own like that.  I start with the most obvious excuse: “I can’t
really justify the cost of getting there; we’re a bit skint at home at the
moment, and I’m spending all my spare cash on gym membership.”  It’s the first
of the many reasons that came to mind, and possibly the most socially
acceptable, while somewhat embarrassing to admit. I can’t imagine telling him
any of the other reasons; my husband would never let me go away with a load
of other people, let alone blokes ,or my husband expects me to be
home so I can cook him his meals .  Unfortunately for me, Stuart has clearly
anticipated my first excuse and has already prepared a response.
    “No, no no, the only thing you need to think about is
putting some money towards food and drink while we’re there; the house is free
because one of the other members owns it as a holiday rental property.  He
knows the guy whose kid is ill and offered it to us free of charge as his
personal contribution.  The place looks amazing, not really a house, more like
a mansion – it sleeps over twenty if we double up in rooms.  It’ll be a
right laugh.  John has offered us a coach from his company, again at no charge,
so it really is just a bit of money for food and drink.  And let’s