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a sprinter now.” “Not at all. Wheres the fun in sprinting? The race is over before youve begun, theres no sizing up your competitors, no time to enjoy it – no burn either so I suppose thats one good thing. Im still quick, just not competition level. The added strength should prove more useful, „cause those kitbags are meant to be heavy.” “You in this time?” Coach Stone asked, turning to look at him again. He knew how important this was to Grey who had quit his training prior to his 17th birthday when he was supposed to have been joining the Marines before they rejected his application, claiming to be over quota. Coach Stone had been prepared to take him back but Grey had declined, explaining that he would be leaving in a year anyway and with work leaving his free time to a minimum he wanted to spend it unwinding rather than pushing himself to the limit for competitions he wouldnt be around to enter. “I passed the medical Monday with flying colours. With the training I received here I knew it was only a formality. The relentless hikes you sent us on will make the marches over there seem like a walk in the park,” Grey said breezily. “When you meet your drill instructor you will realise how mild-mannered Ive been.” “Ill take that bet. I heard Dylans already gone over,” Grey said, referring to another of Coach Stones protégés. “About nine months ago now. I see his father around town. He likes it by all accounts. Navy. Where are you going?” “Germany.” “No, which branch?” “The Army. It seems pointless wasting my speed in the air or on a ship.” “I dont think its a race, but itll do you no harm neither. Good luck, son,” Coach Stone said and he shook his hand. “Thanks, Coach. I hope you go easier on these girls than you did on us,” Grey said, looking at the girls who continued circling the track. “That wouldnt be doing them any favours. The theory is they wont be taken from me by this inconvenient conflict thats already cost me my best,” Coach Stone said, explaining why hed opted to train girls for the first time in over 25 years of coaching. “How old are they?” “15 and 13. I dont coach the one lagging at the back. Shes friends with the older one and I let her come out and practice with them but shes no contender and she knows that herself. I have high hopes for the 15 year old. Shes called Katie Cash.” “I think I have seen her run before at a meet. Another long distance runner, right?” Coach Stone nodded. “She has real potential. Her focus is fantastic.” “Id better make sure this war ends soon then so she doesnt get distracted.” “I dont think anything would distract her. Not boys…not yet anyway.” Grey chuckled. “Thats going to be funny, how you handle that.” “It wont be a factor; she wants to be a champ. More than you or Dylan, obviously.” “Theres many ways of being a champ.” “I know. I respect your choice, though youll never be atop a podium now.” Grey shrugged. “True, but I wanted this more. When you look at the sporting legends whore already serving…” “Its had to take a back seat. The one positive thing is that womens athletics could receive more attention– these girls have proved pluckier than any boys Ive ever trained,” Coach Stone said, having surprised himself with how involved he had become with his two charges. Initially he had thought he was slumming it somewhat by taking on girl students and his attitude quickly changed. Hed take on boy trainees again, after the war or even sooner if the right candidate presented himself, but he would not be as nurturing with the boys as he was with these girls. “I can see theyre giving it their all.” “Bar the one at the back, but shes not one of mine,” he reiterated, disassociating himself from her. “When do you go?” “A week on Monday. I dont know what to do with myself. Its the same as a race. Doing its fine, but waiting is brutal. Thats why Im checking out my old haunts, trying to keep myself busy. I shouldnt have quit work so early.” “If youve got time to kill why dont you go in and get changed and see how quick you are at 5k now with a bit more meat on your bones?” “I can be a cautionary example to your girls of what happens if you stop training. For old times sake, but dont expect the old pace.”

Coach Stone pulled his girls off the track when Grey came back out and had them cool