‘Yes, when he was little my husband read up on what you’re supposed to do to encourage a child who’s interested in sport and they used to go out for sessions together, but when Adam started getting really serious about his running, we enrolled him at the local athletics club and got him a proper coach.’
‘And what’s his coach’s attitude to the injury?’ It seemed that Laurie couldn’t quite let go of the idea that Adam’s coach had something to do with this. But it was a relevant question and Ross left Ann to answer.
‘Sadie’s been really supportive. I’ve shown her the diagnosis and she’s done a lot to encourage Adam to follow all the advice that Ross has given. But Adam’s pretty clued up about things and he says that no one can say whether this injury is the result of some weakness that will stop him from competing.’
‘He’s right.’ Ross nodded. ‘That’s why we’d like to have him stay at the clinic for a couple of weeks, not just to help him recover but to help him work out how he’s going to move forward from this.’
Ann nodded. ‘We’re so grateful you can take him. A cancellation, you said?’
‘Yes, that’s right.’ Ross spoke quickly, before Laurie could react. He hadn’t told her that Adam would be taking her place. ‘I think that Laurie’s own skill set, she’s an athlete as well as a doctor, may be a good fit for Adam.’
‘If he listens to anyone, he may well listen to you.’ Ann gave Laurie a thoughtful look.
‘I’ll be doing my best for him.’ The slight jut of her chin left no possibility of failure and that hurt unexpectedly. Ross had tried so hard to reach Laurie and she’d fought him all the way, but it seemed that Adam already merited her commitment.
When they walked into the conservatory, Adam was sitting in front of a large TV screen, obviously moved in there for that purpose, playing a computer game. His foot, encased in a supportive boot, was propped up in front of him. Ross hung back, holding a cautioning hand towards Ann. He wanted to see how Laurie would approach their patient.
‘Hi, there. You’re Adam? I’m Dr Laurie Sullivan, but I only answer to Laurie.’
Adam looked up at her, his concentration on the screen momentarily broken. Maybe he saw what Ross did, someone that he wanted to know better, because the controller slipped from his hand.
‘Hi.’
‘Switch that off, Adam...’ Ann murmured the words, about to make for the screen, but Ross shook his head. Adam always did as he was told, but when Ross had last seen him he’d clearly not been enthused by the efforts being made on his behalf. He wanted to see if Laurie could change that.
‘I’m working at the Lakeside Clinic for a while this summer.’ Laurie’s smile gave the impression that this was a bit of a holiday for her. ‘I expect you’ll be wanting to know why I think I can help you?’
It was different. Ross recognised the need to prove himself with each one of his patients, but he wasn’t usually as forthright about it as Laurie was being now. But she seemed to have caught Adam’s attention.
‘Okay...’
‘Right, then. Well... I’m a doctor, which you know already, of course. I’m also an athlete and I’ve had a few injuries in my time.’
Adam glanced at his right foot, looking away quickly as if it irked him. ‘What injuries?’
‘I broke my fingers once...’ Laurie held up her hand, wiggling her two middle fingers. ‘Got them caught in a rowlock. I made sure I didn’t do that again. I couldn’t hold an oar for ages afterwards.’
‘You’re a rower?’
‘Yes, that’s right.’ Laurie’s smile became even more luminous. ‘I love it. I was at the World Championships last year.’
That got Adam’s attention. ‘What, rowing? For England?’
‘I got silver in the women’s single sculls.’ She leaned forward towards Adam. ‘It’ll be gold next year...’
‘I’d love to be able to compete at a national level...’
‘Your sport’s running?’
‘Yeah, I was thinking of branching out a bit before I was injured.’ Adam shrugged, as if that didn’t matter any more.
Laurie nodded towards the game controller. ‘Not the modern pentathlon? That was originally supposed to hone your battle skills...’
Adam got the joke, snorting with laughter. ‘Nah. That’s just a game. I was thinking more about the four hundred metres, instead of two...’
Adam and Laurie started to talk animatedly, and Ann finally smiled too.
‘Looks as if you’ve brought your secret weapon along,’ she murmured.