Simple Love (A Tom Daley Love Story)

Chapter 19

I was sat in the lecture hall studiously taking notes on various back injuries. It had been a month since Jack and Chris had been up in Plymouth, I saw Tom and Will daily and occasionally shared an exhilarating kiss with Tom but nothing had progressed, as much as I wanted to. I watched Tonia and Tom train daily and sometimes joined in after they'd finished and thanks to them my diving had improved I loved it so much!

The lecturer went on and said "That finishes us today, I'll carry on in a few days. You are dismissed. Lily-Rose Harrison could you stay behind to talk to me please?" I was confused but knew I had done nothing wrong so walked up "Hi Lily, the staff and I have noticed that you've progressed exceptionally well, and an offer has come up," he gestured to lady with a nice smile who I had noticed earlier. "This is Anna, she's a sports physio and masseuse and shed like to take you with her as a helper to Austrailia where she'll be treating the GB diving team. Would you like that?" I gasped in excited shock "Uh yes! I would love that! Thank you Anna!" I said turning to her, "No problem Lily, can I steal you now to be kitted up?" I grinned and said "Of course, wow thank you so much sir!" To my professor.

Anna led me out to her car and said "I've heard about you from Tom and Tonia and a few others so I was delighted you'd be coming!" I was delighted too, 3 weeks in Austrailia with friends doing a job I loved, this was going to be a holiday! I turned to Anna "Do you mind keeping it a secret from the others? I want to surprise them!" She laughed and agreed. We pulled into the Life Centre and and past reception into the office, I had been here a few times with Tom to meet Andy, he was here now. "Hi Lily!" He called out, "Oh you're the trainee physio?" "Yeah but it's going to be a surprise!" Anna said. He chuckled and nodded I agreement. Anna led me over to some cardboard boxes and pulled out White polos with a British Swimming logo and Team GB on the front she held it up and said "Yep that'll fit! You'll need three in each colour." And passed me a blue set as well. Through the next hour I also was given: 2 hoodies, trainers, 4 pairs of shorts, 3 cropped vests, 3 tracksuits, 3 suitcases and a rucksack. They also talked me through a sheet of protocol, expectations, kit list and list of duties. I couldn't wait! We packed all my new stuff into Anna's car and she dropped me home. I let myself in to the apartment to see Will on the sofa, I wasn't surprised he had a key. "Hello!" I said, he looked up "Sup," with a wink and helped me with my stuff. "What's with the suitcases?" I sat down next to him "You can't tell Tom or Tonny but I've been chosen to go to Austrailia with them as a trainee physio!" My voice got higher and higher towards the end with excitement and we jumped up and down with excitement. "That's amazing!" He said "And we're coming out for the last few days to see Tom and then staying for a bit longer... We can see you!" We had a few more crazy moments and then settled down...

2 weeks later

Tom's POV

I was in the reception of the Life Centre with Tonia and Andy waiting for the Physio and the trainee. It was early in the morning and I just wanted to get back in Tonia's car but Andy insisted for some reason we meet the trainee properly. I leaned back against the wall and closed my eyes. A few minutes later I heard a car drew up and opened my eyes Anna climbed out and waved, I waved back and started to turn away but I heard Tonia scream. She ran at the trainee who I couldn't see properly but was slightly worried for, Tonia must've mistaken her for someone else. She picked up the brown haired girl over her shoulder and ran back towards me, I could hear the girls laugh and my face broke into a grin "LILY!" I said and hugged her as she climbed off Tonia. "SURPRISE!" she said and pulled Tonny in as well. This trip was going to go fine...

A half hour later we were sat in the back seats of Tonia's car chatting on our way to Heathrow. "...and he called me over and introduced me to Anna and said he was pleased with my work and would I like to come to training camp and competition as a trainee!" Lily finished in a rush. "Well thank goodness they did" and hugged her leaving my arm around her shoulders "and you look absolutely lovely in the kit!" Tonia said "Yes," I agreed "Our little diver physio!" "Who can dive!" Lily said proudly. "So did I fool you both? Only Anna, Andy and Will know!" "Yes you fooled me!" Tonia said, "Will knew! He kept that quiet!" I said astounded "Yep, oh and Debbie and Ben!" I laughed and said "Fooled by my family!"

We carried on our constant chatter for hours and at about 9am we walked into the airport to meet Andy and Anna "You all ok?" They fussed "Didn't leave anything on the buses?" I rolled my eyes and slipped my hand into Lily's and pulled her over to where I saw the others from different clubs "Jack! Chris!" I called out they turned and started to say "Hey To- LILY!!" And ran towards her and me picking us in firemans lifts like Tonia did.

Lily's POV

When Chris had put me down I was introduced to people I had heard about and seen on tv Rebecca, Pete, Nick, Monique, Hannah, Alicia, Sarah and the coaches. For a few minutes this carried on and then we were ushered to the check in desks, me still being talked to and asked questions, but to my relief I still had the comforting pressure of Tom's hand in mine, my rucksack on my back and my suitcase in my other hand. This was going to be incredible.