Tales of the First

“Yes,” Wendy said. “That’s a good idea as well.”

“And you two will have to help me carry it,” she said. “I’m still getting breathless at the drop of a hat.”

“It is getting better though?” Sienna asked anxiously.

“Oh yes,” Lucy inspected a deep red satin. “For one thing I can laugh without coughing now. Well mostly.”

“What did your coach say?” Wendy asked.

“That I’m to follow the specialist’s instructions to the letter and that he is consulting with her to come up with an exercise regime to help my rehabilitation. He says to treat it like any injury and take it carefully.”

“Sounds like wise advice,” Wendy said. “But it sounds like you’re getting better.”

“I’m just worried I won’t get all the way better,” Lucy said. “I really like hurdling and I was going to the UK trials next year. Coach says that a lung condition won’t necessarily stop me competing if it comes to it but I don’t know.”

Wendy patted her arm, “Trust your coach and your specialist, Luce,” she said. “They know what they are doing. And if you can’t become a world famous athlete you can become a world famous fashion designer.”

“Yeah,” Lucy said. “But I want to do both.”

“Heh,” Wendy said. “You’re ambitious, Luce. Most people would be happy to have the skills to excel in one field.”

“Yeah, well it’s not like an athletics career lasts too long,” Lucy said. “I want something for after and if I’m going to do something I want to be the best and not just a name attached to a fashion line for publicity purposes. Plus I enjoy both so why wouldn’t I want to excel at both?”

“Ah, when you put it that way it seems more reasonable,” Wendy said.