When Fools Rush In

Chapter 26 - Rocky Ground

Friday arrived, the end of what felt like the longest week of Lucy's life. As she put on her make up to go to work, she studied her red, puffy eyes. They were raw and stinging. She had cried herself to sleep every night, sometimes waking up in the middle of the night in tears. What she couldn't fathom was how bereft she felt over a man she hadn't, in truth, being going out with for that long. Tara remained a sympathetic ear; Lucy could not bring herself to pick up the phone to her her parents. She could imagine the conversation with her Dad now: "what were you thinking, going out with a footballer for heaven's sake, what do you expect? Nice enough chap, but I did tell you he wasn't clever. Go and find yourself a sensible man, you know, your usual type. And someone your own age, please."  She firmly assumed that sympathy wouldn't flow from the parental unit.

After spending Thursday working from home and stewing over Millie's 'rumour' at the pub, Lucy breezily strode towards Gina at reception on arriving at the Etihad. Nonchalance was key.

"Morning Gina," Lucy smiled.

"Ah good to see you again Lucy, how are you feeling?" greeted Gina, glancing up from her computer monitor. She had a wide, almost bossy-looking face, and short greying hair.

"Getting there," replied Lucy, resting her elbows on the reception desk. "How are you? Any gossip to be aware of from when I was off sick? Anything for me as the PR bod to be aware of?"

"Ooooh good point," replied Gina, swivelling to the side on her chair. "It's been pretty quiet, but I heard a rumour...and I'm not sure if it's true...that Jack Grealish has been having a bit of a thing with someone who works here, and we're trying to play detective and figure it out!"

"Oh really?" exclaimed Lucy, lowering her voice in mock surprise, "that's interesting...do you think it's true? And who did you hear it from?"

Gina was taken in by Lucy's feigned surprise and interest and lowered her voice in response. "Barry told me," Barry was one of the catering staff, "he heard it in the pub out with his mates - think one of them is good mates with Phil Foden and heard it from him, but apparently Phil wouldn't say who it was, but that they worked 'close to home', if you see what I mean!"

Lucy raised her eyebrows. "Hmmmm," she said, "that's interesting - thanks - I'll keep an ear out."

"I mean, lucky bugger whoever she is!" chuckled Gina. "If I'm going to have a stab I reckon it's one of the physios or someone who gets pretty close up with the players, do you know what I mean? Although Barry joked that it was Caroline, that medical woman who gives them bandages and stuff - I mean, I don't know exactly what she does - but sheesh, she's what, forty odd? I think Jack should stick to those younger girls, like that Love Island one he's apparently desperate to see again...now she's pretty!"

Lucy nodded grimly, her smile ever more forced. "Yes," she sighed, still maintaining the smile, "someone like him should probably stick to what he knows, eh?"

"I'll let you know if I hear anything more," Gina continued, winking, "ah well, at least us lot can still have a bit of a perve when he's playing - although - oops! You're probably far more professional than me!"

"Ever the professional," Lucy was grimacing now, keen to get into her office, "on that note, I'd better dash - calls to make."

"Of course love, just take care of yourself now won't you?"

Lucy hurried herself through the reception area as quickly as she could, Gina's words sticking like used chewing gum in her ears. She was no closer to working out whether Phil had been talking about her or if Jack really was seeing someone else at her expense. She didn't know what to believe any more.