AS the script of the 3000 metres final unfolded at the world indoor trials in Sheffield, a feelgood story burst forth from the page. Steph Twell and Jo Moultrie have battled against the frailties of their own bodies, the former’s brittle ankle and the latter’s irregular heartbeat providing each with crosses to bear.

As the Scottish duo hit the front together in the final, it became a tale of redemption and renewal. Twell, bursting clear, has never looked better in emerging from the tumult that surrounded multiple surgeries and the anguish of sitting out London 2012.

Trailing behind, but also inside the qualifying time required for a place at the World Indoors in Portland next month, Moultrie felt the elation of what had been overcome, even inside the seven days, and what rewards are now in store.

“I was on a monitor last week,” the 26-year-old Glaswegian revealed. “And I have stress tests on a treadmill this week. I’m still getting all the tests and that does affect you a bit. I had to have a monitor on for 72 hours which measures my heart rate during the day and then when I’m sleeping. But I’m concentrating on not letting it get to me and achieving what I want to.”

The prospect of a major championship debut, all but assured when the selectors gather today, should be a gratifying diversion. Twell’s confidence and form has reached a new level and she will be a formidable foe in her trans-Atlantic tour on this evidence.

“It was incredible,” the 2010 Commonwealth bronze medallist said. “Coming into a trial, you don’t know what kind of time you’re going to run. It wasn’t even about the time here, it was about securing the title and finishing that job. There were a bunch of us following one another with Jo pushing it. But I thought she was having a really positive race and I wanted to go with her. I felt she was slightly tiring so I went for it but now we’re both going which is a great outcome.”

Chris O’Hare remains likely to earn a call-up despite skipping the trials but with a small but targeted team expected, there will be few dilemmas posed. Richard Kilty, the reigning world indoor 60m champion, will sweat on his fate. While

Lynsey Sharp will do likewise after coming only third in the 800m when victory beckoned her home.

Instead she lost out to Adelle Tracey, whose resume includes making characters for Doctor Who. Sharp’s chief fantasy is success at the Olympics. Portland, she can take or leave.

“I can see the benefits and why my coach wants me to do it,” she acknowledged. “But I’ve never done indoors before so it’s still new and I have to think on the pros and cons. I’ve done quite a lot of travelling the last few weeks. It’s frustrating because you know what your legs usually feel like. And you don’t have that yet. But it’s about this summer. That’s the long-term plans.”

Guy Learmonth held his head in hands after watching his men’s 800m title – and his Portland hopes – slip away over the final few strides, slumping from first to third as Jamie Webb stole a march. Since lowering his lifetime best in January, the Borderer has markedly regressed, a troubling symptom which he must now address. “It wasn’t a good performance,” he admitted. “I need to go back to the drawing board and reset.”

With Maddie Murray (1500m), Anna Gordon (pole vault) and Sarah Warnock (long jump) also adding bronze, it took the Caledonian plunder to one gold, one silvers and five bronzes.

Cameron Tindle has the luxury of focusing resolutely on the long-term. With the wisps of a first beard coming through, the sprinting schoolboy from Berwick has shaven chunks off his times each season while dealing with the inevitable growing pains.

Yet he is no longer a boy in a man’s world. Running 21.14 seconds in the heats of the 200 metres, he slashed the Scottish senior record with a bolt for the line before finishing sixth in a final won by fellow 17-year-old Toby Harries. “I came prepared to run every race like a final,” he said. “I did that but I felt I had more in the tank.”