Eventually - All or Nothing #2

30th November 2022

The English morning was cold and grey, as Aimee trudged through the puddles on the driveway in her muted colour outfit, she smiled at Rosie skipping ahead of her, the hood of her garishly coloured anorak turned up to protect her from the stinging wind. The little girl was a bright spark in the gloom. The vibrant colours of the unicorns decorating Rosie's coat were more fitting to the sunny skies of Doha, where John was training in punishing heat in just a vest and shorts.

They should have been there.

Aimee knew that now.

She regretted her dogged refusal to accompany John to Qatar the moment she watched him stepping out onto the pitch in the opening game against Iran. Her football knowledge was still lacking, but the buzz in the stadium and at home was unmistakeable. This was a massive occasion; one that John had been working his entire life for. Yet she was missing it. Suddenly, her massive list of reasons not to go to Qatar seemed like excuses. Only a stubborn attempt by Aimee to remain 'normal' when her life was anything but now. Rosie would not have been scarred by missing a few days of school, especially at this time of year when days were largely made up of Christmas activities and play rehearsal. Rosie's Kitchen would survive if she took some time off, even at this busy time of year. Qatari law would not change just because one woman refused to step foot in the country. She had been selfish. She should have been there supporting him during this once in a lifetime opportunity.

John had been disappointed by Aimee's decision, angry even, heated discussions over it had dragged on for weeks. In the end, he was understanding, though sad. Aimee had suggested that Lauren take Hattie, but John did not like that idea. They were supposed to be a family now, and Hattie getting a treat Rosie was being denied, did not sit well with him. His parents and sister would be there, and that would be enough.

Instead of a few stolen moments together after a match and spending John's limited days off together, they had to make do with numerous FaceTime sessions a day, juggling time differences so Rosie could say goodnight and good morning. Rosie liked calling John on the way to school, and this morning was no different, as soon as she climbed into her car seat she was reaching for Aimee's phone.

Aimee duly handed it over and watched in the rear-view mirror as Rosie's face lit up as John's face appeared on the screen and his warm voice filled the car.

"Where's Dave?" Rosie had asked impatiently after John had filled her in on his day so far. He had been in Qatar for three weeks and he had routine now, which suited him, he liked the comfort of it. Breakfast, then gym, lunch, then training, then some downtime before dinner, then he was free to suit himself. Today, was a rare day off. John had allowed himself a long lie, a late breakfast, and as soon as he had spoken to the girls, he was heading out to meet his family.

John chortled at the mention of Dave. That fucking cat. He cursed Kyle for ever posting that picture of the two of them with it on Instagram, it was all anyone ever wanted to talk to him about these days, Rosie and Hattie in particular. Now, to appease Rosie's desire to see the tabby cat, he found himself wandering the hotel grounds calling out for Dave who had disappeared as soon as the breakfast plates were removed from the table and he realised his luck was out.

After a few minutes, John was ready to give in, but the thought of Rosie's disappointed face made him give it one last shot. He was utterly convinced he looked like a complete dickhead, this 6ft 2 lanky Brit wandering around in his Nike shorts and t-shirts calling out the most cliched English name there was. Finally, Dave trotted around a corner, a curious look on his face as he wound his way around John's ankles. The cat was clever, he knew when mealtimes were, and this wasn't it, but he was getting greedy, and he associated John's voice with food, so here he was, even though John had interrupted the nap he had been enjoying in the sun.