Simple Love (A Tom Daley Love Story)

Chapter 27

I woke up to an alarm from Hannah's muffled phone playing One Direction. I always found it hard to nap and I hadn't had a shower since setting off so whilst the others stirred I forced myself out of bed; grabbed my towel, other clothes, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner and left the room in search of the shower room. I found a big bathroom next to the boys room and locked the door behind me. A few minutes later I walked back into the room feeling much better with clean hair and wearing my white British Diving polo shirt and blue shorts. Hannah and Alicia greeted me with a smile and as I turned to walk to my bed I saw the 3 boys sat on it. "Helloooo!" I trilled and I noticed Tonia and Sarah by the windows, I hung my towel on the door, dumped my clothes and stuff by my suitcase and sat on the floor by the foot of my bed gently drying my hair with the hair towel. "Where are we going for lunch?" I asked looking at everyone "Well the adults are staying here," Sarah started "So we were just going to grab a sandwich or something and then go swimming for a bit!" "Sounds good!" I said and Jack replied "Is everyone ready then?" They all climbed off my bed and everyone headed for the door with bags and rucksacks. I scooted over to find my swimming kit and said "I'll catch you up in a minute guys just walk slow!" But Tom paused at the door and said "I'll wait with Lily!" I shot him a "thank you!" and tugged on my trainers pulled my rucksack and walked to the door with Tom, he offered his arm and I gladly took it as we pursued the others.

We caught up with the others after a few minutes and had a fun lunch all crowded round the table talking loudly, laughing at jokes and playing games. After about an hour we headed towards the pool, it was virtually empty so we started off in the main pool having race. It was Tom, Hannah, Jack and Sarah on one team and Tonia, Chris, Alicia and I on the other. Soon we split up into pairs and were going to do shoulder wrestling just like in Plymouth and I looked round for a partner hoping Tom would be free but as I twisted I felt something move in between my legs and I gave out a little shriek and clutched his head when Tom rose up out the water with me on his shoulders, I slapped his hand "Tom you scared the hell outta me!" I saw everyone laughing and as Chris and Hannah came towards us I heard "Watch it you two they are the Plymouth champs!" I outstretched my arms, locked my feet around Tom's back and grinned at Hannah. We wrestled for a bit but soon I twisted Hannah off backwards and Chris overbalanced spluttering as he rose out. I reached down to high five Tom and then he said "T-dawg and L-dawg are back!" I nearly fell off laughing and was still giggling when Alicia and Jack came forward to a cheer from the others I saw Jack baulk as I started to wrestle Alicia on top "If possible Lily!" He said struggling with Tom "You've got stronger, come on Alicia!!" This one lasted a little longer but soon Jack slipped and Alicia gave a little shriek as she overbalanced as well. I heard Tonia sigh and say to Sarah "Right get on! These two are getting cocky... Team Couch and Barrow!" I heard Tom say beneath me "Uh-uh Ton we got this!" But Tonia just grinned "Baby Daley I'm still 6 years older, so is Sarah we can still beat you up!" Tom snorted and we approached them with twin grins I felt Tom jolt as him and Tonia collided and I grappled with Sarah, this was our first real competition and Tom said "Come on Lil! For Plymouth!" I grunted in agreement too focused to reply and after a few close shaves Sarah fell off. Tom whooped so loud and I cheered at the exasperated faces of the others "You're just jealous!" Tom reached for my hands and said "Try standing up Lil!" I did and after a few unsteady moments I stood and waved at where Tonia was filming and then dived off backwards. Alicia asked me when I was back up "I've heard the others taught you how to dive, could you show us?" I blushed and said "Oh no! You don't want to see me do it, I'm not that good!" Tom cut me short with a look and said "She's lying Lily is amazing for the amount of time she's been learning!" Tonia pulled me out the pool and all but shoved me up to the 10m "This high already?" I asked Tonia a little scared to perform under pressure but she squeezed my hand with a smile and said "Go on you can do it, start with your favourite then come back up for synchro!" I walked to the end of the board trying to zone out the watchful eyes of the others and raised myself onto tip toes arms out... Lowered then sprung into a double pike. I felt the g force rippling round me but I held my shape until I saw the flash of blue and unfolded locking my arms in place. I broke the surface of the water with a grin and heard the admiration but I scampered back towards Tonia as I heard their confusion and after agreeing on the dive we gave a little run skip and a jump then threw ourselves off the board. After returning to the pool I heard the others congratulations: "Wow Lils you've been improving... Brilliant seeing as you just started... Have you tried springboard... Are you going to continue?" It went on and on and I just kept up the thanks and laughter. This is brilliant, I thought to myself, these amazing people were congratulating me! They were becoming amazing friends and I loved to be around them.

In a bit they were explaining to me how to do a routine where everyone dives off at different times and then swims off, it sounded terribly confusing but I nodded slight numb with success and we trooped to the top. I was second to last with Tom behind me as we were diving first and he brushed my hand saying "I knew you could do it, well done!" I squeezed his hand and met his eyes and Jack and Chris started off "Ready?" He asked, "Always!" I said with a laugh and followed his lead.

Hope this is okay :) feel free to comment xxx