Sue Sparrow SUPERSTAR

The world record was in her sight, but could she do it?

- Eirin Thompson

Sue cleaned her teeth, rinsed her mouth, and checked her appearance in the mirror over the basin. A few lines, certainly, and a little puffiness beneath her eyes, but she didn’t look too bad.

Fifty wasn’t old – not these days – and she was about to prove that a woman her age could outstrip young things 20 years her junior – male or female.

A few butterflies were forming in her stomach as she pulled on her new tracksuit, made especially for the occasion, and with her sponsor’s name across the back.

Her phone rang.

‘Becca – hi, love. Is everything all right?’

‘Everything’s great, Mum. Are your preparations going to plan? Have you managed to eat something? You must be nervous.’

‘I’m an athlete,’ Sue told her. ‘Despite the doubters, I intend to set a world record this afternoon, and you don’t achieve that on an empty stomach.’

‘Good for you! Well, I’ll see you at the stadium. And not just me – Mr Brown is shutting down production so we can all support you.’

Sue felt a lump form in her throat. ‘He is?’

‘He believes in you, Mum. He knows how much you want this and how determined you are, and how many hours you’ve put into training.’