Running to Greatness

The pressure would be intense, but who were they to try and stop her?

- Adriana Duvall

Carol watched her granddaughter with mounting admiration and pride. Tina could certainly run fast! So fast, in fact, that no one else even came close.

First place in the 200 metres, and she’d just beaten all her competitors in the 100 metres too.

‘Isn’t she good?’ Elizabeth, Tina’s mother, beamed at her. ‘Bet you’re glad you came now Mum, aren’t you?’

Carol nodded, speechless. She could hardly believe that she’d actually considered going to the village tabletop sale rather than her own granddaughter’s sports day.

She’d even baked her special cheese scones for the parishioners. Perhaps the family could share them later, to celebrate the wins.

Tina had never wanted anyone to watch her at sports day before, though. Carol had just assumed it was because it wasn’t that important to her, or that she was too embarrassed and selfconscious. She could understand that; shorts had never particularly suited her when she was a teenager!

‘I didn’t know she could run like that, did you?’

Elizabeth shook her head. ‘No, I didn’t even think she was that keen on sports! I was surprised when she said to me last night that – and these were her words – “If you want to come, you’re welcome to, but don’t expect much!”

‘Mother and daughter watched in awe as Tina raced to the finishing line, leaving her fellow participants trailing behind her.

Carol watched her daughter glow with pride. ‘You were always good at sport too. She must have got it from you.’

‘Not that good, though,’ Elizabeth watched Tina being clapped on the back by her friends.

Carol smiled. ‘Before we all knew it, you’d met Geoff and settled down.’

‘If only he was here to see this. He’d be thrilled!’ said Elizabeth excitedly.