His Chance

Chance - Chapter 19

The press conference went well.  I just met with my manager and we had a really good talk about what he expects from me this year.  He has a lot of confidence in me and he wants me to step up and become a leader; I'm excited about that.

I send a quick text to Hailey to let her know that I'm just about to start my morning workout and to tell her that I'm sending a car for her at 2 o'clock. I want to show her around the facility and introduce her to some of the guys. I should be finished with all my obligations here by 4 or so and then I want to show Hailey around London for a bit and take her to dinner.

She texts back that she saw my press conference and that she loves ME with all her heart. She'll see me in a few hours.

                                                                                                         *********

                                                                                                             Hailey

Chance is sending a car for me at 2 pm. It's 11:45 am right now and I'm already showered and dressed. I had breakfast a little while ago but I'm anxious. I have so many people to meet that are in Chance's life. There are his teammates and their wives or girlfriends. Then there's his boss. His coach, I mean, no, what do they call them here? I google it on my phone and find out that they call the coach, the manager. Oh, wow, there is so much that I need to learn about English football. I really want to make a good impression and I certainly don't want to embarrass Chance or have people think of me as some stupid American. I decide that I definitely need to find out more about the sport that my husband plays for a living. I google book stores within the proximity of our hotel and am elated to learn that there is one just a few blocks away. I grab my purse and head downstairs to the lobby.

I notice the small gift shop at one end of the lobby and decide to check it out just in case they have any books on football. They don't. They do have some gum and candy so I decide that I would like to purchase a pack of gum. When I get to the counter, I reach for my wallet and the older lady behind the counter says, "that will be £1.9 (one pound 90 pence)". Oh no. I look in my wallet and all I have are US dollars. I haven't until this very minute realized that I do not have the proper currency to make this purchase. I'm embarrassed.

"Um, I'm sorry, I, uh, well, this is quite embarrassing", I tell her. "I'm from the United States and my husband and I just arrived here last night and well, I don't have a single pound on me. I guess I'll just put this back for now and get it later", I tell her and I turn away to return the gum to where I found it.

"No dear, you're fine. You're Mrs. Thompson aren't you?", she asks me and I shake my head yes to answer her.

"Mr. Thompson left word that you should charge anything you need to your room. Go on and take the gum dear", she instructs me and I start to feel a little better. "Is there anything else you would like?".

I shake my head no and thank her for her help. I start to leave but then I remember where I'm going and so I turn and ask her, "Is there somewhere close by where I could exchange some of my American money for British pounds?".

She smiles at me and says, "Yes dear, just wait here for a moment and I'll call someone who can help you".

"Oh, ok. Thank you", I say and then I walk over and start to look at the magazines and newspapers that are on the rack next to the counter while I wait.

A few minutes later I hear the sound of high heels approaching and then I see her. My heart leaps into my throat because the someone coming to help me is none other than Kara the concierge.