Diving Into Love, I Go - A Tom Daley Love Story

Chapter Eight

Erin's POV

The following days leading up to Tom's British Gas Championships in Sheffield was hectic.

Tom spent most of his days training both on dry land and water, trying to perfect his flips, twists, turns and entry in order to regain his title as the British Champion which he lost to a fellow diver last year. Tom being the perfectionist and competitive person that he is, he's set on regaining his title back that it's been frustrating him for the last few days when a dive doesn't go the way he wants it too.

Taylor, on the other hand nagged and nagged at the three of us until we had no energy left to say otherwise. After three days of constant nagging and whining, the boys and I finally back down from our reluctant mood and just agreed with her.

That is why we're on a 6 hour train journey, a day before the competition, from Plymouth to my scenic home town in North Yorkshire. With Sheffield being only an hour or two journey from my house, Taylor twisted my arm to stay at my house and not in a bed and breakfast.

Before I went to University, I lived with my grandparents on my mother's side in the small village just outside the small scenic town of Richmond. My parents passed away when I was younger and I lived with them ever since. I had no siblings and I only had a handful of cousins on my father's side who to be perfectly honest I'm not very close with.

"Aren't you excited?" Taylor nudged me to get my attention as I just sat and stared out the window.

"For Tom yes, but other than that no not really..." I replied

"Tom will win!" she said in a determined voice.

"Hopefully. Tom's been hard on himself these past few days" I recalled Tom talking over the phone about how he needs to perform at his very best in this competition. It's crucial that he does or he'll miss out on the chance to qualify for the Team GB Diving Squad. The British Championships is one of the Olympic trials to qualify for Team GB. I noted the strong determination in his voice that I secretly admired when he talks about his diving but also the sweet sad tone in his voice when his late father crosses his mind every time he talks about it.

Even though I don't know a lot about Tom's personal life other than what he let's on, I can tell that he was very close to his father Rob. Rob, from the information I gathered, was the person behind Tom's successful career. The way Tom will speak so fondly of him let's me know that Rob was a pillar of support, cheering him on behind the scenes and just generally being there when Tom needs him.

"I just know he will, and he will do us proud in the Olympics" she smiled. That's what I love about Taylor. Even though she speaks before she thinks, and is pretty much boy crazy but once she considers you as a friend she's loyal, determined to bring the best out of people and supportive no matter how daft their decisions are.

***

"Erin! Darling!" My grandmother Anne, threw the door open as soon as we stepped out of the taxi. We live in a relatively big farm house in the middle of the country side. The front of the house was still reddy brown and was dirty with old age as ever. But thankfully to cover it's front exterior was ivy climbing up and cover the wall like a blanket.

"Granny!" I managed to blurt out before I was tackled into one of Gran's infamous bone crushing hugs.

"We missed you darling!" She gushed, giving me another tight squeeze before letting me go.

"Granny, these are my friends Taylor, Adam and Matt and guys this is my grandmother Anne" I said introducing them to each other. My friends greeted her every so politely and the way that Gran's eyed lit up said that she was happy about my choice of friends.

"Well come on then, you're just in time for supper. I hope you like roast dinner" she exclaimed as she invited us all in. One by one they stepped in following Gran into the kitchen and I stepped in last. The sweet smell of oak, old leather and a floral fragrance brought all the memories together at once. The warmth emitted by the open fire in the front room and the oven in the kitchen reminded me when I use to sit by the fire as Gran will brush my hair dry whilst singing an old lullaby. Everything in this house held a meaning, a memory. May it be bitter or sweet, they were the last remnants of my childhood.

"Erin!" Gran called out from the kitchen, snapping me out my thoughts that ran behind my eyes like shadows.

"Coming!" I assured her as I made my way towards the kitchen.

Everyone was sat around the oak table, waiting patiently as Gran prepared everything. My Grandfather Joe sat on the armchair right next to the oven reading his newspaper like the old days.

"So where is your beau then Erin?" He commented setting his paper down onto his knees

"What?" I inquired. How on earth did they know about Tom. I didn't tell them about him. Taylor! I turned my head and narrowed my eyes at her, knowing full well what she's done. She looked at me feigning innocence but the look on the boys' faces proved me right.

"The swimmer?" Grandpa looked confused and scratch his head

"Diver, Grandpa. Tom is a diver, not a swimmer. And he's only a friend" I sighed and sat down next to Taylor.

"He's a 10metre platform diver, dear. Do you remember the young boy in the Beijing Olympics? He was only 14 then" Gran said to Grandpa who just nodded his head, when he remembered.

***

A/N Read and Review <3