Leah Williamson: The Bond.

Number One: The Famous Sister Bond

I'm Abby Toone. Yes, before you ask, I am Ella Toone's younger sister. Although we're only a year apart, I still am made out to be the complete baby.

Having a sister so close in age makes life a bit easier. We argue like there's no tomorrow but at the end of the day, I can talk to her about anything and everything.

Alessia, Ella's best friend was also like a sister to me. The three of us went through the age groups together. Both of them debuted for England before I have, hoping to get my call up soon.

We all play for Manchester United, which was our childhood club. Playing for them now feels like a fever dream. The best fever dream.

Ella🫶🏻

Wed 20 Aug

Ella🫶🏻:
You up for meeting me, lessi and hempo?

Abby:
Ofc. where n when?

Ella🫶🏻:
Little rock's. N in half an hour. see you then xx

Little rock's is our favourite café to go on our days off. It is a small, unknown location, looking out onto the beach. Ella always brings up the beach. She has had an obsession with water since we were young. I always thought she was going to be a swimmer. Els is full of surprises.

Little rock's is only a five minute walk from mine and Ella's family home, where we were staying during our time off in summer. The house had so many memories, and being able to connect with Ella again with them has made me so happy. I arrived and saw Lessi in the corner, with a coffee in one hand, her phone in the other.

"Where is Els and Hempo? Yous got me scared that I had been ditched!"

"Of course I wouldn't ditch you Lessi."
I started giving a little tickle under Alessia's arms.

"I'll buy you another coffee to make up for it okay?"

"Deal."
She smiled.

Ella and Lauren walked through the door at this moment. Ella and I never really looked that alike. Ella had flowing brown hair, loving her beauty treatments. I remember we used to have to miss training sometimes so Els could get her nails done. But me on the other hand had blonde hair, always found up in a bun. I had a hoop in my nose and never really put an effort in for myself or anyone. Of course Ella walked in looking amazing, Lauren too.

"Hi Abs, Hi Lessi!"
Both Ella and Lauren said, hugging us.

"I could kill you both!! Can you please learn to get to places on time? Save me stressing out constantly."
Lessi was giggling while saying this.

"You know that isn't possible for them."
Lessi had made me laugh, which caught between all of us.

We all sat down with a coffee, expect Ella who had a hot chocolate. She was a big child at heart, even though she had to grow up quickly.

"How we all feeling for pre season? Only a week away now."

"I'm not ready to be killed by the bronco."
Lessi said, making us all laugh. She always knew how to make us all laugh.

We drank our coffees (and hot chocolate for the children out there) and split into our separate ways. Ella and I walked back to our family home.

"Only a week left here Abs. I don't know if I'm realy to leave here yet."

"We're only down the road, you know we can visit whenever we want Els. It's not a goodbye."

"But Dad.."

"But dad nothing El. You know he'd want us to play for Man United over staying at the house forever. You know it was his dream for us."

"I suppose your right Abs."
She walked, her eyes glued to the ground.

I gave Ella a hug. Our dad died when I was 14, Ella 15. He was our biggest supporter. He was the one who ignited our love for football. He was truly the best dad in the world. I sometimes look up into the sky at night and talk to him. I know he's with us, he wouldn't let us go through life on our own.

After Dad died, Mum relied on alcohol to get her through the grief. That and her friend Chris. Ella had to grow up quickly. She told our U18 manager at the time, and we lived with host families. We were safe and most importantly, still with each other. She makes me the most proudest person out there.

Mum was sprawled out across the sofa, passed out. Ella rolled her eyes at me.

"She will never learn Abs. It's the same every-time. Even when we're 22 and 23. I'm sick of it."

"We have each other. That's all we need."

Neither of us are good when the other gets into a relationship. We're used to being the only thing the other needs. We ended up just going to bed, locking the door away from our mother. She was bad news, and only stayed with her for a week over summer to stay in contact. Otherwise, we wouldn't hear from her.

A week soon passed and before we knew it, we were at Old Trafford for the first pre season session. We had a pitch session, lunch and then a gym session.

"Girls, we need focus. This is the start of a clean slate for us. I know we're able to win silverware this year, but it starts now."
Spoke Marc, with an ambitious tone.

"Marc is right. We're not missing out on anything this year. We're either all in or all out."
Katie Zelem was a good captain, she always did what was best.

We were walking out to the pitch as Millie Turner jumped onto my back.

"What's up little one? Any news?"

"None Mills. How's you and Rach? I've missed both of yous so much." Rach was a good friend of Ella's. She's one of the funniest girls I know.

"Me and Rach are better than ever. We do bicker but who doesn't?"

"Completely right Mills."

"What we talking about? And why is it happening without me?"
Ella hated being left out. She slotted herself into the middle of us, with both arms around our shoulders.

"None of your business big one."
Milly always knew how to speak to people in the right away, getting peoples sense of humour exactly right. It was slightly scary to be honest.

We finished training and Ella, Lauren, Alessia and Ellen were getting lunch. There was some potatoes, chicken, fish and an choice of veggies. I hated most of it but still ate it to be nice. Suddenly I hear a loud cough. I turned round to see Ella holding her neck.

"Epi...pen"
She slowly mumbled.

Ella has a severe allergy to nuts which is weird because I absolutely love them. I run to find her epi pen and before I inject it into her leg, she takes a bow.

"I got you Abs. I'm getting better than you at acting."

"Ella. I hate you. How dare you."
Even though I was mad, we still found ourselves laughing at each other.