Language of Love

Chapter 35- Lifeguard Trials

After the papers published photos of their reunion in the airport, it didn't take long for the tabloids to move on to fresher, juicer gossip.

But then the lifeguards had been left reeling mid-May with the news of Kobi's accident at Ours. Abi didn't know him as well as some of the other lifeguards but she'd become friends with Azza and saw how worried he was for his brother. Troy visited him as often as he could and she had tagged along once. Kobi's accident and her own made Abi realise how things could change in an instant and how important it was to live life to the full. It cemented her decision to get fitter and win the bet with Reidy.

That was how she found herself walking into the swimming pool on the day of the lifeguard trials.

The bleachers at the side of the swimming pool were busy. All the lifeguards were present to pass the test for another Summer Season. Their joking was more subdued today, masking nerves and their determination to prove they were still fit enough for the job.

Abi stood in swimsuit and shorts beside Chappo. Most of the lifeguards were aware of the bet between Maxi, Reidy and herself. Abi expected a fair few others had placed bets on the outcome as well. Troy wouldn't tell her if he had. Bisho and Quinn had been coaching her throughout. She felt sick with nerves and the only thing she was set to lose today was a crate of beer, not her career like the guys.

Hoppo appeared beside her, clipboard in hand.
"Sure I can't convince you to do this as an official tryout for a traineeship?" He tried one final time.
"Never going to happen Hop." She responded. "Agreeing to first aid training is the most you'll get out of me."
"You agreed to first aid training?" Troy said from the bleacher behind her.
"Yeah. Hoppo made it part of the contract conditions."
Whippet leaned forward, "You nearly puked when you saw that fin chop!"
"Got to learn to deal sometime, you're going to see more of them." Chappo added. Abi nodded at him in agreement.

Abi scanned the bleachers, spotting all the lifeguards she knew and a few she recognised but wasn't so familiar with. There were a few unknowns also trialling for a place or traineeship. Deano, Terry and Harries had clipboards and stop watches. Hoppo handed her a stopwatch and clipboard.
"Make yourself useful and keep time on lane 4." Hoppo said. "You'll swim last. Terry will time you. He didn't join in the betting."
"And you did?"
"Would'na asked you to trial for a traineeship if I didn't think you'd make the time." He responded as he walked off towards the possible new recruits.

Abi's nerves increased, anxious for the lifeguards and dreading having to break it to anyone if they didn't make the time. She was relieved to find that Quinn and Bisho were in her lane for the first group. They were two of the fastest swimmers on the service. The later groups of established lifeguards also passed with no trouble, despite Maxi doing extra lengths. Terry took over lane 4 for her when the 4 possible new recruits slipped into the water for their turn.
"Go get ready." He said, with a reassuring pat on her shoulder. "You got this."
She went over to the bleachers and was pulled into Troy's arms.
"Think I'm gonna throw up." She murmured into his still wet chest.
"You're gonna smash it." He reassured her confidently.
"Please tell me you didn't bet on me too." She groaned.
"Chap and I might have a wager going on. You, Bish and Quinn have gone radio silent on your training these last 3 weeks. No one else has any idea if you've cut your time down enough or not."
Quinn pulled her away before she could finish her conversation. He lead her over to Bisho and they gave her a pep talk.
"You want one of us in the lane next to you to help pace you?" Quinn asked.
"Please." Abi said as she slipped out of her shorts.

Hoppo called the lifeguards to order.
"Before we head to the beach for the next stage of the Trials we've some bets to settle. Can Abi make the pool trial time? Ready Abi?"
Abi felt the eyes of over 30 elite watermen on her as Bisho pulled a swim cap onto her head. She wondered why in hell she'd ever thought this was a good idea. She could only nod in response to Hoppos' question.
There were cheers of support, banter and heckling as she slipped into the water. Quinn slipped into the lane beside her and reached across, grounding her with his hand on her shoulder.
"Shut them all out and focus. Count your strokes. Keep me in sight. You can do this."
"I haven't yet." She said so only he could hear.
"You're damn close Abi. You can do it."
"Ready sweetheart?" Terry asked above her. She took one final glance at Quinn who nodded at her then she nodded at Terry, settled into a starting position and pushed off from the wall.

Her life seemed to narrow down to each stroke, each breath, each length and keeping Quinn in sight to her side and just in front of her. She counted the lengths and felt her arms burn. The gap between her and Quinn seemed to increase and she dug deeper and swam harder.
"Just 2 to go." She heard Terry shout over the encouragement of the others as she turned.
The gap between her and Quinn seemed to be growing. Her muscles burned. She pushed even harder. She saw Quinn turn. She touched the wall and turned, pushing off and powering on. The gap between them was a little smaller now. She pushed on. Her head pounded.
Not now. She told her recurring headaches and pushed her body harder still. Then the pool wall was within reach. She touched it and stopped. Everything hurt as she clung to the side, gasping for breath. Then Quinn was in her lane sweeping her into a hug. There were cheers and groans from all around and suddenly Maxi was jumping into the lane with her.
"You did it!" He shrieked with excitement and triumph.
"I did?!" Abi couldn't take it in. She looked askance at Quinn. He beamed at her.
"12.58." Terry said from above her.
"I did it! I fucking did it!" She whooped with the last of her energy. The lifeguards cheered with her, laughing at her excitement and disbelief.

Abi floated on her back for a moment, totally drained. Then Maxi splashed her and she pulled herself to the side.
"I don't even care that you didn't beat Tom and Matty. That was awesome!" He declared.
Troy was by the side of the pool grinning at her. He offered his hand and hauled her out of the pool. She knelt at the pool edge, still gasping for breath.
"Now, whose superhuman?" He said as he squated beside her.
"Not...me." She gasped. "Just....leave me ...here...to die."
There was laughter around her as Troy and Bisho pulled her to her feet. Whippet wrapped a towel around her.
"Don't think any of us could cut that much off our swim time so quickly." He told her.
"But none of our technique was as terrible as hers was at the start." Bisho laughed then winced when Abi elbowed him in the ribs.
"I'm going for a long shower then I'm getting a Macca's and collapsing on the sofa." She groaned. "Enjoy the ocean trials."
Troy kissed her hair and let her slip away to ease her already aching muscles with a long hot shower.