Not a very flattering image of poor Fiona, but then I don't portray her as a physical beauty. She's a little dowdy, age catching up with her. But she has a beauty like no one else in the books - a pure soul full of unconditional love.
I don't state it explicitly, but fate never blessed Fiona with a biological child. She did get Lewis, however, and became more of a mother to him than Mary Macleod ever did. The relationship was forged before the story takes place, and it is one of the few rocks Lewis can totally depend on. Fiona gives unconditional support, in all aspects of Lewis's life.
There were a few fine women from my childhood I drew on, typical Scottish housewives who battled with adversity, but deep down had a heart of gold. Fiona is a combination of all their best traits.
Her role in the book goes way beyond support though. Fiona, like Marie Clement, is a guiding force who influences events. She is more subtle, less calculating, her heart rather than her brain being the driving force. Her husband Jim may be the coach, but it is Fiona who will shape Lewis's life more.
Here's a snippet from when we meet her for the first time, in Melbourne at the house where Lewis and his team are staying...
A hand was squeezed again, this time by Fiona. “You can’t bring resentment to the party, Jim. You’re his coach, and that means helping him to reach his potential, and you know what that potential is… he can go all the way… be number one. Can you do that for him, Jim? Get him there - because it’s not working right now. You’ve brought him a long way. But as you say, you’ve never been to the top yourself, and perhaps he needs someone now that has - certainly someone with more slow court
experience to help out when the tour moves back to clay. He can do Wimbledon, and maybe even win here if the rain doesn’t come. But that’s not enough to go all the way.”
Jim sat quietly, staring at a blank television screen, as more words struck him.
“But it’s the other side that you need to think about now, Jim. He needs support outside of tennis. He needs someone who can accept him for who he is. Understand the problems that he’s got, and work with them, instead of fighting them, or at best pretending that they don’t exist. If you can’t do that, then it’s time to let go... We’ve got security for life now, so don’t hang on for the wrong reason. It’s Lewis we’re talking about here… Och, there’s no point in upsetting things any more just now, but think about it... after the Open maybe… Ask yourself what Calum would have wanted you to do. And if it’s the answer I think then do it well. Find him someone… Find him the man to take your
place.”
I don't state it explicitly, but fate never blessed Fiona with a biological child. She did get Lewis, however, and became more of a mother to him than Mary Macleod ever did. The relationship was forged before the story takes place, and it is one of the few rocks Lewis can totally depend on. Fiona gives unconditional support, in all aspects of Lewis's life.
There were a few fine women from my childhood I drew on, typical Scottish housewives who battled with adversity, but deep down had a heart of gold. Fiona is a combination of all their best traits.
Her role in the book goes way beyond support though. Fiona, like Marie Clement, is a guiding force who influences events. She is more subtle, less calculating, her heart rather than her brain being the driving force. Her husband Jim may be the coach, but it is Fiona who will shape Lewis's life more.
Here's a snippet from when we meet her for the first time, in Melbourne at the house where Lewis and his team are staying...
A hand was squeezed again, this time by Fiona. “You can’t bring resentment to the party, Jim. You’re his coach, and that means helping him to reach his potential, and you know what that potential is… he can go all the way… be number one. Can you do that for him, Jim? Get him there - because it’s not working right now. You’ve brought him a long way. But as you say, you’ve never been to the top yourself, and perhaps he needs someone now that has - certainly someone with more slow court
experience to help out when the tour moves back to clay. He can do Wimbledon, and maybe even win here if the rain doesn’t come. But that’s not enough to go all the way.”
Jim sat quietly, staring at a blank television screen, as more words struck him.
“But it’s the other side that you need to think about now, Jim. He needs support outside of tennis. He needs someone who can accept him for who he is. Understand the problems that he’s got, and work with them, instead of fighting them, or at best pretending that they don’t exist. If you can’t do that, then it’s time to let go... We’ve got security for life now, so don’t hang on for the wrong reason. It’s Lewis we’re talking about here… Och, there’s no point in upsetting things any more just now, but think about it... after the Open maybe… Ask yourself what Calum would have wanted you to do. And if it’s the answer I think then do it well. Find him someone… Find him the man to take your
place.”