Chapter Nine Jenna
Chapter Nine
Jenna
And now, we’re going to move on to someone who will have been glued to that weather forecast and, I bet, hoping it was a little drier.
We’re going up to the very top of the country.
To John O’Groats, in fact, where our very own intrepid reporter, Simon Rogers, has been trying out a new form of transportation as he follows the remarkable story of a special family and a unique challenge that has encountered an unexpected twist before it’s even begun . . .’
Simon, the Breakfast Today presenter, a hulking man in ill-fitting tweeds and a cap, weaved his way from the signpost towards the camera astride a large tricycle. The rain was almost horizontal and the howling wind made him difficult to hear.
‘Over one hundred and forty years ago, Londoner Alfred Nixon had an idea. He decided to get on his tricycle and ride all the way from Land’s End, the most westerly point in Cornwall, to John O’Groats in the very north of Scotland.
As the crow flies, the distance is 603 miles, the fastest route along motorways is 874 – but for anyone who wants to pedal all the way, it’s at least a thousand, up hill and down dale. ’
With a squeal of antiquated brakes, he stopped in front of the camera.
‘Sorry, folks, just a sec while I get off this thing, which has been kindly lent me by the local museum.’ Huffing, Simon clambered off the tricycle and blew out a breath.
‘Since then, thousands of adventurers have completed this epic journey on foot, on bikes – even on unicycles. Some choose to take the traditional route from Cornwall to Scotland. Others decide to start at the very top.’
Grimacing, Simon stepped into a puddle before he continued, and a man in a hi-vis jacket held a golf umbrella over his head.
‘And from the few yards I just managed, I can tell you that anyone who makes it almost one thousand miles on any form of wheeled transport is a bit of a hero. On that note, let me tell you about the heroes of this particular story, which from now on we’re going to call the Kilt Challenge.’
A VT ran with interviews with Sholto’s family – his parents and sisters. Even though Jenna knew what was coming, it was still a hard watch, bringing up all her own memories of Luke.
When it ended, Simon was standing with a group of people, at the centre of which was Cam, blinking at the camera.
Jenna’s hand flew to her mouth. She might have seen him on grainy Teams but now, confronted with him in HD resolution, her first and very selfish thought was that Carly DiLuca had been mad not to hold on to him.
Cam was taller than she’d realised, with broader shoulders. While he was lean and muscular, he didn’t have the stick-thin physique of a cyclist – though that might change after two weeks.
His hair was shorter than she remembered – he must have had it cut for the challenge.
Her stomach turned over as it had several times since she’d heard, a few short days before, that he was taking over the Kilt Challenge.
Had he felt pressured to step in because of her – or rather, her circumstances? If she’d thought for a moment that was true, she’d be on his doorstep begging him not to do it.
Or had it been all his own decision, because he was a kind and thoughtful, lovely person who wanted to make sure that Sholto’s family and the charity didn’t lose out?
‘And let me now show you the extra twist in this tale. It’s not called the Kilt Challenge merely because it starts in Scotland, with a Scottish team. No, there’s another reason, as you will now see.’
The camera panned away and Jenna gasped as Cam was revealed to be wearing not cycling shorts but a proper Highland kilt with a sporran.
Jenna turned up the volume on her headphones to hear Cam’s interview.
‘Yes, you’re right, viewers, Cameron Munro will be cycling over a thousand miles in a kilt. Which I understand, Cam, presents its own set of challenges.’
Cam laughed good-naturedly. ‘Thanks, Simon. Well, as proud as I am to be wearing my family tartan for this incredible challenge, kilts can be . . . a little scratchy.’
‘I bet. And heavy, too. How will it cope in these sorts of conditions?’
Simon held out his hand to catch raindrops, as if the viewers needed any more clues that it was bucketing down.
‘It can get quite wet and heavy, yes.’
‘And in the sunshine?’
‘Quite warm, I imagine. I haven’t tried it out yet.’
‘No. And that is the most incredible part of this story. Until three days ago, Cam had no idea he would be doing this challenge. Most endurance events of this nature require several months of training at the minimum. How long have you had, Cam?’
‘Um. Two days.’
‘And although you are a regular runner and like to keep fit, I heard that your bike hadn’t been out of the garage for a fair while?’
Cam looked embarrassed. ‘Not for a good few weeks.’
‘No!’ Jenna burst out, shouting at TV Cam. ‘You said you cycled all the time!’
‘I think you’re a very brave man,’ the presenter continued. ‘Are your family and friends concerned?’
‘They were a bit surprised, but now they’re all fully behind me.’
‘And do you have any misgivings?’
‘I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t daunted.
But I have Sholto’s amazing support team with me all the way.
Even if I was going it alone, I’d still do it because I know how much Sholto and his family want to raise awareness of this genetic heart condition and hopefully prevent other families experiencing what they have.
I’m proud to do it in Keiron Mackenzie’s memory – and for all the families who have lost a loved one to this condition.
’ He looked directly into the camera and Jenna knew he was looking at her.
‘Oh, Cam . . .’ she murmured and dug her nails into her palms. ‘What have you done?’