Naked Hero - The Journey Away

joined by Mike to discuss the training schedule. “I’m going for a drive, Jim,” Lewis told his coach as he looked around for the car keys.
    “They’re on the table by the door, Lewis,” replied Jim, helping with words but not with his tone or the scowl that had returned to his face.
    Lewis tried not to rise to it – knowing that his track record hardly merited much trust. “I’ve got my mobile with me if you need to get in touch, but I won’t be long.”
    “I’ll see you in the morning I suppose. Take a taxi back, will you,” growled Jim; then he turned away, choosing to ignore the anguish that stood before him.
    “ Jim, I know what I said. I’ll see you all later.”
    Night had fallen as Lewis left the house and made his way to the hire car which sat in the driveway. As he approached it, he was momentarily startled by a flash bulb as his photograph was taken.
    “Evening, gentlemen! How are you all tonight?” he enquired of no one in particular.
    “Good, Lewis! Good!” came a response from the driveway entrance. “How are the preparations going for the Open?”
    “Fine thanks.”
    “Are you following the same training schedule that you used in Sydney?”
    “Pis…” Lewis managed somehow to bite off the retort. “No, there are a few changes,” he offered instead as he reached the car.
    “I look forward to talking to the changes tomorrow, Lewis! Enjoy!”
    Feeling even angrier now, Lewis looked in the direction of the voice but couldn’t distinguish anyone who owned it. He ran through a few put downs but knew that anything he said would end up twisted, so decided against it. He quietly got in the car and slowly drove off. Another camera flash blinded him as he left the driveway. The life of a tennis star is never dull!
    As Lewis was driving off, the conversation back in the house had naturally turned towards him. It was Jim who started off in a professional vein, as he picked up on the conversation with Mike about the performance today in the gym.
    Mike Crawford had been with them for three years now. He was a Londoner in his mid-thirties and an Essex boy as well. He came from Romford, a suburb that lay claim to both geographic titles, but failed to convince socially with either. Romford was Romford, the East End made good. ‘Loads of Money’ and Mock Tudor mansions; boys and their motors at a knocked down price; girls with blonde hair and orange fake tan. Everything was dodgy “and of course it’s above board!” ...The family business had beckoned for him, but Mike had no interest in the second hand car trade. Instead, he got himself to Loughborough and never looked back. Now he had the best job of his life, touring the world and doing what he loved. It was a shame it would all have to end. His childhood sweetheart, now divorced, had agreed to be his wife. But that was something that Mike was keeping to himself, for the time being at least. Lewis had enough on his mind at present. There was no need to add to it all. Right now Mike would give him all that he could, for Lewis had given him enough in return. There were few physical trainers in England who could boast ‘Wimbledon Champion’ as part of their C.V. That happy event had set Mike up for life. There was a debt, and Mike would see out the year so there would be plenty of time for a replacement to be found.
    “It went well, Jim,” the trainer answered with a confirming nod of his head, “very well in fact. He’s putting a lot of work in. The fitness is there. He never really lost it over the winter break. But it’s his attitude that’s changed. He wants to do it, never a complaint – just like in the old days when he was a young lad on a mission. I had to hold him back today, if anything. Don’t want him exhausting himself before next week. We need to start easing up now... How’s he looking on court?”
    “Pretty slick on the whole, though he’s not to know that yet, okay,” replied Jim - a finger raised in warning. “There’s too much inconsistency for my liking. Plays brilliantly for a while then seems to lose it. His mind’s not totally there. But you can see it… the hunger’s coming back... like he’s got something to prove again. I hope he doesn’t go and blow it tonight… on the drink... It wouldn’t surprise me after that performance earlier.”
    It was at this point that Fiona stood up and turned off the television. “Mike, do you think I could have a few minutes alone with Jim