Read Online Soldiers' Wives by Fiona; Field - Free Book Online

morning.’
    â€˜
I
did a run this morning,’ countered Chrissie. ‘
You
did a bit of a jog and then gave up.’
    Immi gave in. ‘Five thirty, at the gym?’
    â€˜See you then,’ acknowledged Chrissie, as she went off for a shower, leaving Immi looking both apprehensive and miserable. Chrissie decided, as she showered, that she wouldn’t be too hard on Immi for the first session – that would come later.
    Chrissie and Lee’s paths crossed again the following Wednesday.
    â€˜Look,’ said Immi, nodding towards the serving counter in the cookhouse. ‘It’s Jenna’s bloke.’ She waved. ‘Coo-ee. Lee.’ He turned and saw them. ‘Budge up, Chrissie, make a space for him.’
    They watched Lee grab a plate of spaghetti bolognese and head their way. He had a broad grin on his face.
    â€˜Hello, girls,’ he said as he sat down.
    Immi simpered at him. ‘Hi, Lee.’
    Lee pushed his plate off his tray, sorted out his drink and cutlery and began to tuck into his meal. After a couple of forkfuls he paused and looked at Chrissie. ‘I was hoping to run into you. What are your plans for this afternoon?’ On Wednesday afternoons, all soldiers who didn’t have specific tasks or duties to carry out were expected to take part in some sort of physical activity for an hour or so at the very least.
    Immi shrugged. ‘Thought I’d go into town and get some new jeans.’
    Lee laughed. ‘I don’t think the army rates shopping as a sport.’
    â€˜It is if you do it right,’ said Immi, unabashed. ‘Besides, I’ll be doing a session in the gym with Chrissie this evening, because she’s on a mission to get me fit so she’s cutting me some slack now.’
    â€˜And,’ interrupted Chrissie, ‘I want to go on a proper run and if Immi tags along I’ll only get as far as the barrack gate.’
    â€˜Harsh but fair,’ admitted Immi. ‘So I’m going to do some extreme shopping.’
    â€˜Trust me,’ said Chrissie, ‘if it was an Olympic sport, Immi would medal.’
    Lee smiled at her. ‘So you’re going running?’
    â€˜That’s the plan.’
    â€˜Want company?’
    Immi’s eyebrows rocketed skywards. She glanced from Lee to Chrissie. She narrowed her eyes. Was there something going on there? Nah, there couldn’t be, not when Lee had Jenna.
    â€˜Yeah, why not,’ said Chrissie. ‘How far do you want to go? Five miles? Ten?’
    â€˜Ten miles?’ squeaked Immi. ‘But that’s… miles,’ she finished, lamely.
    Chrissie laughed. ‘It’s not so far. We should be back in an hour and a half.’
    Immi fanned herself. Jeez – ten miles, that was just showing off. So maybe this pair just got a kick out of running. Weird. She picked up her empty plate. ‘Right, I’m going to change and catch the bus. As it’s sports afternoon and because I’m on extra PT, I’ll go upstairs and sit on the top deck. How’s that for exercise?’
    She waggled her fingers in farewell, leaving Lee and Chrissie discussing a possible route.
    The two were about halfway around their planned route, loping along at an easy pace, their strides matching. They were both puffing slightly, but weren’t out of breath. Their trainers slapped the tarmac of the pavement rhythmically, as the cars on the road beside them swished past. A fine drizzle was falling: enough to make the ground greasy and their hair and clothes damp, without it being so wet as to be completely miserable.
    â€˜This feels easier than last time,’ said Chrissie. ‘I must be getting back on form. My self-imposed mission to get Immi fit is having an unexpected advantage for me. Mind you, I spend more time trying to make her do an extra ten reps here and there than I do on the fitness machines myself.’
    â€˜I’ve been down the gym in