Chapter Sixteen
She collected herself and bolted after the others.
She was aware of the crowd that had gathered at the side of Railway Street. They held signs, some with her name on them. They clapped and cheered loudly, smiled and waved at her. Tentatively she waved back. They clapped more, cheering her on.
They liked her. They were barracking — for her. And she accepted it.
Marion disappeared around the bend of the Belgrave to Gembrook Road. Abbey picked up her pace. She clenched her teeth and held her gaze steady. Get to the next post. Get to the bend. Once she’d picked a marker and reached it, she picked the next. Her body went into automatic. One foot, the next, push, land, push. Each breath marked the beginning of another.
She’d do this. She could do this. She didn’t have to apo
