‘Yes, you’re right, viewers, Cameron Munro will be cycling over a thousand miles in a kilt. Which I understand, Cam, presents its own set of challenges.’
Cam laughed good-naturedly. ‘Thanks, Simon. Well, as proud as I am to be wearing my family tartan for this incredible challenge, kilts can be ... a little scratchy.’
‘I bet. And heavy, too. How will it cope in these sorts of conditions?’
Simon held out his hand to catch raindrops, as if the viewers needed any more clues that it was bucketing down.
‘It can get quite wet and heavy, yes.’
‘And in the sunshine?’
‘Quite warm, I imagine. I haven’t tried it out yet.’
‘No. And that is the most incredible part of this story. Until three days ago, Cam had no idea he would be doing this challenge. Most endurance events of this nature require several months of training at the minimum. How long have you had, Cam?’
‘Um. Two days.’
‘And although you are a regular runner and like to keep fit, I heard that your bike hadn’t been out of the garage for a fair while?’
Cam looked embarrassed. ‘Not for a good few weeks.’
‘No!’ Jenna burst out, shouting at TV Cam. ‘You said you cycled all the time!’
‘I think you’re a very brave man,’ the presenter continued. ‘Are your family and friends concerned?’
‘They were a bit surprised, but now they’re all fully behind me.’
‘And do you have any misgivings?’
‘I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t daunted. But I have Sholto’s amazing support team with me all the way. Even if I was going it alone, I’d still do it because I know how much Sholto and his family want to raise awareness of this genetic heart condition and hopefully prevent other families experiencing what they have. I’m proud to do it in Keiron Mackenzie’s memory – and for all the families who have lost a loved one to this condition.’ He looked directly into the camera and Jenna knew he was looking at her.
‘Oh, Cam ...’ she murmured and dug her nails into her palms. ‘What have you done?’
Chapter Ten
Cameron
1,014 miles to go
Three, two, one!’ An air horn blew and Cam was off. Hannah, Iona and Iona’s partner, Laura, were outside the pharmacy under golf brollies, along with a load of pensioners, some on mobility scooters, and parents with buggies, all cheering him on. There were also tourists, lured by something to do on a wet Friday morning at the edge of the world.
As he passed the pub, his mates yelled helpful comments like ‘Not far to go!’, ‘You’re nearly there!’ and ‘How’s your bum?’
Cycling past the petrol station, the garage, the hotel, the gift shop and the bakery, there were very wet people calling out ‘Good luck!’ and ‘Go, Cam!’
And alongside him was Lachlan on his bike, shouting: ‘Come on, Uncle Cam! Everyone’s out to see you. Look! There are my friends.’
They passed the primary school, closed for the summer, yet with several dozen youngsters and their parents, alltooting air horns. A handmade ‘Good luck!’ banner hung outside the gates.
‘How did you do that?’ Cam asked, but his reply was swallowed up in the cheering.
A minute later, it was time to wave goodbye to Lachlan and all the villagers and it was just Cam and the road. The support van, with his spare bike, a driver/bike technician and his luggage, had overtaken him, to wait at his first rest stop twenty miles ahead at a roadside café.
Suddenly, he felt very alone. Except he wasn’t. He had hundreds of family and friends – both his and Sholto’s – willing him on. The charity was posting about him on social media and he’d seen their messages. Carly had even made a very generous donation and promised to follow his progress at least a couple of times along the route.
The pledge total was already mind-blowing and Cam had barely left his own village.
But above all, Jenna had told him in a string of messages that she was right behind him. That, even if she thought he was completely nuts, he was amazing and brave, and she couldn’t wait to see him in Cornwall.
