“You’re not in trouble, so you don’t need to sit there sweating,” Pippa said without her usual cool tone. She smiled though, and Jade wasn’t sure if that settled her or made her worry more following the unusual sign of warmth from her boss.
Pippa closed the laptop and clasped her hands on top of it, looking between Will and Jade as she spoke.
“I received a phone call yesterday from the Women’s Tennis Association requesting two members of staff to join the tour to help with player injuries during the next few tournaments. This isn’t unusual; they have a set number of practices which they useon rotation, and mine is one of them.” Pippa paused, allowing a moment for her words to sink in. “I’ve been extremely happy with each of your performances over the past year and would like to put you forward.”
Jade’s head was barely keeping up. She was about to travel with the WTA as a physical therapist for the players? Didn’t most professional athletes at that level have their own team to take care of them? Will beat her to it.
“Wouldn’t most players have their own physical therapists on their payroll? Or the venues have their own teams there as back-up?” Will asked Pippa but kept looking to Jade to keep her involved.
“Yes, on both accounts, but the WTA doesn’t like to be unprepared, so they provide additional support for those players who don’t have their own. It also allows the work to be done off-site to avoid speculation of injuries between players.” Pippa explained. “Especially as they enter grass court season, wet grounds can wreak havoc with groin and hamstring injuries.”
Jade spoke up, “so would we just be on stand-by for most of the time then? Or would it be pretty full-on?”
“Like any major tournament, there’ll be peaks and troughs of activity. You hope for little but plan for a lot. The tour is currently finishing off most of the clay surfaces, so at least you’re coming in at the right time. You won’t get too messy over the summer that way.” Pippa stated in such a matter-of-fact way that Jade wasn’t sure if the latter part was intended as a joke or not.
“Are there dates for leaving and returning?” Will asked. “I mean, are we gone for the next few months or are there any days off during the run?”
“The tour is in Paris just now. Once it finishes, you’ll join the next location in the UK, where you’ll be for most of June. You’ll have a couple of weeks’ break at the start of July, then you’llbe in a few locations in the US and Canada for Hard Court season throughout August. You’ll get paid your usual wage, and all expenses will be paid for. Food, travel, and accommodation will be covered. The tournaments themselves will pay additional wages to you for any work required on players while you’re there.” Pippa sat back in her chair to give Jade and Will time to take in what she had said before continuing. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but you are my first pick for the job. You have until Monday to let me know if you’ll go ahead and do it, as I need to let the WTA know to get the ball rolling on flights, access passes, accommodation bookings, etc.”
“Can you send the details via email to help us decide?” Jade asked. “I’ll need to work with my family for the weekends I would have been minding my niece. Plus, my sister’s getting married and I’m helping plan the wedding, so I want to be able to give her the dates I’ll be gone so I don’t have Bridezilla on my hands.” Jade chuckled and actually managed to get a smile out of Pippa. That was a win in her book.
“Of course, and if you have any questions that I’ve not answered or covered yet, just let me know. Will? Does that work for you?”
“Yeah, that works for me. I know you said Monday, but I’m guessing earlier would be better?” He asked.
“Yes, but I don’t want to put pressure on either of you. It’s a great opportunity, but it’s an equally great commitment. Today is Wednesday, so end of day Friday would be better, but Monday gives you the weekend to really think it over if you need to.”
Jade and Will thanked their boss and left the room, heads reeling from this unexpected opportunity they’d just been offered. They made their way back to their own treatment rooms to collect their belongings, then met back at reception to head out for lunch.
“Smoothie bowl?” Jade suggested, “I love sushi, but if you mention it again this week, I’m going to spray soy sauce all over your work top for the next month.”
“Harsh, but I’ll allow it. Yeah, smoothie bowl sounds about all I can stomach after that meeting ahead of a packed afternoon of appointments.” Will walked beside Jade to her car and got in.
“Gut reaction, go!” Jade said.
“More yes than no. You?” Will asked.
“Same, but like I said to Pippa, once everything with Cleo and Sophie is good to go, then I’m free to do it. I don’t have any other ties. Will Nathan be ok with you taking off?” Jade pulled out of her parking space and headed onto the main road.
“Yeah, I’ve not needed time myself for anything before, and I’m always accommodating his work plans. So, tit-for-tat means I should be fine too as long as he doesn’t have any major events lined up that I’m expected to attend with him.” Will chuckled. “I wonder what trouble we’ll get up to in our downtime?”
“You’re married!” Jade started, “And I’m...well, as you know, I’m complicated.ButI’m sure if nothing else, I could find a decent karaoke bar or two to pass an evening in each city.” Jade grinned.
“Only if you’ll be the Dolly to my Kenny. YouknowIslands in the Stream is my karaokejam!” Will started singing to prove his point. Jade laughed but joined in where required.
“Oh Jade, love, that sounds wonderful!” Her mom gushed over video chat later that evening. “Such a great opportunity, I hope you said yes!”
“I haven’t said anything yet, Mom. I’m looking over the details she just emailed myself and Will an hour ago.” Jade lookedover the details on her laptop while her phone was propped up against the laptop screen.
“Pippa wouldn’t have asked you if she didn’t think you were up to the job,” Fiona said.
“I know, that’s not what I’m worried about, not that I’m worried at all. Not really. It’s just a big commitment. What about my weekends with Sophie, and the plans with Cleo for her and Ivy’s wedding?” Jade frowned as she worked through the list of things she needed to work out before she’d make her decision.
One of the thoughts that had circled her brain since her meeting with Pippa, was if she leaves the city for the summer, there’s no chance of running into April again. It’s not like she went back to the bar the past few weekends on her own in the hope of seeing her. No, that wasn’t Jade’s style at all. At least, it didn’t used to be.
“We can sort all of that out so that you have Sophie on the weekends in July when you’re here between tournaments, and she’ll understand. We’ll even get her into watching some of the matches in case she spots you on the TV. You know she’d lose her mind over that.” Fiona laughed and Jade wondered whether her mom or Sophie would be more excited about that happening.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Jade said, turning back to focus on her phone, and her mom, rather than the details in her email.
