Page 26 of Runner 13

Stella

Seven years earlier

Ibiza

For the duration of the training camp every minute of Yasmin’s time is scheduled.

Since the goal is to win an Ampersand race, Glenn throws in (what he considers) creative twists, like an hour-long speed-work session turning into a surprise overnight wild camping run.

No one told me, so I showed up for our group dinner only to end up alone.

That ground my gears. I have to keep reminding myself I’m here for Yasmin.

To support her. To take photos when she needs.

When she’s off running, I’m supposed to hang at the resort.

But there’s only so much lounging around a pool that I can do.

I spend a lot of the time researching for our backpacking trip or entertaining myself by teasing Pete with bikini pics.

He thinks I’m away on a work assignment, photographing a new luxury hotel opening.

And it means I cherish the time I do get to see her. Like during breakfast. Breakfast is our time. Every morning we’d grab coffee and smoothie bowls from the resort buffet and take them to go, finding a spot out on the hotel terrace in the sunshine.

Except this morning is different. Everyone else – Glenn, Adrienne, the other female runners – shows up to the buffet, but Yasmin is nowhere to be seen.

I storm up to her room, banging on the door until she lets me in.

When I finally see her, I stifle a laugh.

Hair dishevelled. Eyes bleary. ‘Wow. You look like crap.’

She crawls back into bed, pulling the covers up over her head and groaning.

‘Everything OK?’ I ask.

She re-emerges and shakes her head. ‘I feel awful.’

‘No shit. You’ve been running an insane number of miles in this killer heat.’

‘I’m not cut out for this.’

‘Of course you are. But he needs to let you relax and let loose a little.’ Lined up on the TV stand are several empty bottles of recovery fluid.

I pick one up and take a sniff, wrinkling my nose.

‘God, this is what he makes you drink? No wonder you feel sick. In a few days we’re going to get on that ferry and before you know it we’ll be sipping delicious sangria outside in a beautiful courtyard in Barcelona.

Not this garbage.’ I toss the bottle in the trash.

She smiles weakly. ‘Sounds dreamy. Except, Stellz …’

‘You should see the itinerary I’ve put together.

Got us last-minute tickets to Parc Güell and then we’ll get a train to Granada to see the Alhambra.

And yes, don’t worry, I’ve researched some of the top trails in case you feel desperate for another run …

What the fuck?’ An internal door opens, almost giving me a heart attack until Glenn sticks his head round the door.

‘Almost ready, Yasmin?’

‘Five minutes,’ she says, injecting more brightness into her tone.

‘You can’t make it up,’ he replies, tapping at his sports watch.

‘I know, Glenn. I’ll be there.’ Yasmin sighs as Glenn disappears.

‘Uh, is that normal?’ I ask. ‘Him just popping in your room like that?’

Yasmin shrugs.

‘And “you can’t make it up” ?’

‘It’s one of his sayings. It means, like, you can’t get the time back. You’ve either put in the work or you haven’t.’

The internal door opens again, but this time it’s Adrienne. I try to catch Yasmin’s eye. I wonder if the ‘rock goat’ and Glenn have been sharing a hotel room.

‘Morning, you two. Glenn told me the good news. I’m glad you’re staying on with us,’ she says.

I turn to Yasmin. ‘Staying on?’

‘That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. Glenn asked me to stay a few more days for some extra training sessions. Really hone my technique.’

‘It’s a great opportunity,’ says Adrienne. ‘I’ll be here too.’

To my relief Yasmin shakes her head. ‘I don’t know. I’m just … I don’t think this is for me.’

‘Is he tough? Sure. Unconventional? Definitely. But he’s changed my life. You have to stick with it when it gets hard. Push through.’

‘That’s the thing. I don’t think I can.’

‘I’ve seen it in you. It’s like the pain cave. You have to find some way to endure the dark times and then on the other side there’s the glory.’

‘Or you could not worry about winning one of my dad’s races,’ I interject. ‘Change your focus to something else.’

Adrienne glances at me. ‘It’s up to you, of course. See you downstairs, Yasmin?’

‘See you soon.’

As soon as Adrienne is out of the room, Yasmin sighs, before dragging herself out of bed and grabbing her running clothes from the beside drawer. ‘I wanted to tell you. But I think I’m going to do it.’

‘So … what about me?’

‘I’m sorry, Stellz. This is important. Adrienne says this never happens. Glenn sees real promise in me.’

‘But this trip –’

‘It’s only a few more days.’

A few days when we’ll miss our hotel bookings, sightseeing dates, flights … everything. Our bonding time cut short. It might be months until we see each other again. But I know what this means to her. This is her passion. If she takes the next step, she could make it her career.

‘Don’t worry about it,’ I mutter, turning away.

‘But you’ll stay too, right? I need you here.’

‘Yeah, no. Doesn’t seem like you do. Make Adrienne your photographer monkey.

’ Already my mind is spinning. I can go to California early, spend some time hunting for a new apartment.

Maybe I’ll stop off in Manchester. Surprise Pete.

Meet his son, like I’ve always wanted. It will be easier without any risk of running into Adrienne, since she’ll still be in Ibiza.

‘Stella, please.’ Her voice is small.

‘What? You got what you wanted. Private coaching. One-on-one attention. Screw me and our time together, right?’

She launches into a stream of curses in French as I storm towards the door.

We’re like this. Fight. Make up. Fight again.

When she’s in the wrong, she cooks for me.

I wondered what baked goods I’m going to get.

I’m hoping for madeleines. When it’s my fault, I get her flowers. Orchids if I’ve been a real dick.

‘You’d better get ready for your session,’ I say. ‘Can’t deny Glenn, can we?’