Serendipity

139

Emma's POV

"How long's this gonna take?" I ask as Heif, Shadow, and I walk to some press conference room in Brisbane, Australia.

We landed in Australia yesterday and now I have to do a captain's press conference with the other captains in our group.

Don't know why, but it's FIFA so they probably don't have an explanation.

"Probably 30 minutes." Heif says.

"Fuck's sake." I say as we get to the press conference room

Once we're in the press conference room, Shadow and I sit down next to the Irish Captain, Katie McCabe.

"Hey Katie." I say then I hug my friend. "How ya been?"

"I'm doin alright." Katie says. "Oh my family wanted me to tell you thank you again for singing."

"Of course." I say.

Over the past year Katie's grandfather went downhill thanks to Alzheimer's and on the morning of the champions league final he passed away.

Somehow, during October of 2022 I started singing to Katie's grandfather on a weekly basis and his nurses said he was at his happiest when I was singing which I'm happy about.

After Katie's grandfather died, her family asked me to sing at his funeral and I quickly  agreed

At the funeral, which was obviously held in Ireland, I sang Katie's grandfather's favorite song I sang him which is a song called Men of Erin.

"Hi Shadow." Katie says.

Shadow smiles at the Irishwoman then she rests her head on the table as the Spain and Nigerian captains sit down.

Once everyone is sat down the press conference starts and like usual I only pay attention to my questions.

"Emma what are you're feelings on the teams in your group?"

"They're all very tough teams and we're gonna need to be at our best to get the win." I say.

"Emma the World Cup Draw has set up a potential Round of 16 Match up between the USA and Italy." A reporter says. "Have you given any thought to going up against Italy again?"

"Right now our focus is on the three teams in our group and those three teams alone." I say. "After the group games we can focus on the knockout opponent."

"Emma who do you see as the biggest threats from the each of the other teams in your group?"

"Well from Ireland I believe it's Katie who constantly ruins my day in training at Arsenal." I say then I see Katie smirk from next to me. "From Nigeria it's Asisat Oshoala and from Spain it's Alexia Putellas who have both made getting past Barcelona in the Champions League incredibly difficult."

"Emma before the tournament you said you believe you're the best Keeper in the world." Some Dude says.

"Mhmm."

"Do you still believe that?"

"I do." I say. "Can you name a keeper that's won more than I have or has played better than me?"

Nobody says anything.

"I rest my case."

- - - - -

"I really like this water bottle." Ash says as she takes my water bottle after the game.

After the last send off game, which was against Wales, I walked around the stadium to sign stuff, take picture, and say hi to the fans and while I was doing that a little girl gave me a water bottle that said Emma's Secret Stuff.