Cam, like Jenna, was always ready to go the extra mile.
He sipped from his Powerade bottle and they discussed the various challenges happening in the following weeks.
Jenna slurped the dregs of her iced coffee, drawing a smile from him. ‘Sorry, what a noise,’ she said, embarrassed.
Cam laughed. ‘I’ve heard much worse,’ he said. ‘I must go. I’ve to see off a boy band – ex-boy band, as they’re all over fifty now – who are hiking across the country for the Birmingham cats’ charity. They’re all going to be dressed as cats. Which figures.’
Jenna wrinkled her nose. ‘Ouch, imagine all that fur dripping wet.’
Cam looked thoughtful. ‘I know – I have warned them, but people do the challenge in their own way. That’s what appeals, I guess. They’re always on some kind of quest, trying to find meaning in chaos.’
‘Or comfort or solace or a way to say thank you,’ Jenna replied, recalling the mum who had unicycled the route to raise money for the air ambulance who had saved her son’s life after a motorbike crash. People did the route for a thousand different reasons in a thousand different ways. ‘I don’t think I could ever do it.’
‘I bet you could if you really wanted to.’
‘I don’t think so ... I’m not cut out for that kind of masochism.’ She hesitated. ‘But some people are and actually, I’ve saved my biggest news until last.’ She paused for breath. ‘I’ve just been contacted for a special event that could attract a lot of great coverage. My boss is really excited about it and it’s going to give us plenty of opportunities for fantastic PR. It’s for a brilliant cause too ...’
His eyes lit up. ‘Oh? I’m intrigued. What is it?’
‘It’s called the Kilt Challenge. It’s happening in six weeks’ time – and in fact it’s starting at your end. The ex-Scottish football team captain Sholto Mackenzie is going to cycle the route in a kilt!’
‘TheSholto Mackenzie?’ Cam gasped. ‘Oh wow. He’s an icon up here. Over a hundred caps for Scotland, that match-winning goal against England ... when did you hear about this?’
‘Only this afternoon. It’s for a charity called HeartBeat that raises money for research into sudden heart failure in young people.’
Cam blew out a breath. ‘A fantastic cause and a great challenge. A retired Scottish soccer player, riding in a kilt and arriving in Land’s End? That’s a gold-plated PR hook,especially north of the border. Everyone for miles around will be out to see him set off. Can you email me the details asap?’
‘Of course. The charity’s going to send more info through. It’s all been a bit last-minute. Sholto’s been training and thinking about it, but he wanted to do it before he starts his TV commitments during the football season. I’ll send all the info the moment I get it, and we can discuss after the weekend?’
‘Yeah. The sooner the better. We need to get our skates on with the media.’
‘Absolutely. I know we can do it. You’re brilliant at getting the word out, Cam.’
‘You too.’ Cam laughed. ‘Hmm. Sholto has certainly got some balls.’
‘In every way.’ Jenna laughed too and her stomach flipped. She wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was the excitement of being involved in a challenge that was so close to her own heart, even if Cam didn’t fully realise why.
‘I can hear something in the background ...’ Cam said. ‘Sounds like a party ...’
Jenna turned. She could hear laughter and shrieks of excitement outside her office. When she turned back, the sun had changed its angle, making it harder to see Cam on the screen.
‘Wow, it’s past five.’ She narrowed her eyes to try to see him better. ‘Better let you go and— do whatever you do.’
‘It’s not sunset here until after ten and it never really gets properly dark at this time of year. I’ll probably head out with my camera. Lachlan – my nephew – has spotted a pod of orcas and I’d love to get pics. What about you?’
‘Oh, I don’t know. It’s Friday, but a quiet night in.’
‘What, no Leffe in the First & Last?’ Cam asked with a cheeky eyebrow raise, knowing that Jenna enjoyed the Belgian beer.
‘Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow,’ Jenna said. ‘No Westmalle while you’re photographing orcas?’
‘I might take a bottle, though I’ll have Lachlan with me. He’s seven, so a bit too young to have developed a taste for beer.’
‘Actually, I might go for a walk on the beach later too, and watch the sunset. Should be a stunner tonight.’ She shaded her eyes with her hands against the sun and sighed in pleasure. ‘I love these long late-May evenings ...’
‘Me too.’ Despite Cam’s smile, he sounded wistful, as he occasionally did. Jenna didn’t know much about his private life, except that they both loved Jane Austen and Belgian craft beer but hated jazz and sushi. They enjoyed watching storms, walking in the rain and observing wildlife, which was just as well considering the wild landscapes surrounding them. Most of all, they shared a genuine passion for helping dedicated end-to-enders achieve their goal in the toughest of circumstances.
‘Talking of May, have you realised what today is?’
