Defender Of My Heart

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Going through the gates at Boreham Wood, I was looking around to see the crowd that had gathered, how different it looked to last year.

It all started for me when I was a young girl my Grandma used to bring me to watch, now all these years later, after she's passed I continue to. Squeezing past all the fans, keeping myself to myself I reach my seat. Today we are playing Man City, I'm all wrapped up in my Arsenal Scarf and coat.

The teams walk out, Captained by Kim Little, my Grandma's favourite! The first half got underway, and we had great possession, scoring 2 goals! 2nd Half and we retained! Excellent performance by the girls. The amazing thing about the Euro's success for the Lionesses is crowds' attendances are up, but that comes with A LOT of kids and lot of banners now appearing at a lot of games.

The whistle went and we won 2-0! All the players shook hands with each other before grabbing their post-match drinks and making their way around the pitch thanking the fans. Where I was stood there was a few kids in front, so I moved around to the side to get some pictures of the girls. It was always something me and my grandma were always the last one's in the stadium. Doing this really makes you realise how much the game has grown.

I look in front of me to see some of the Arsenal players signing shirts and taking pictures. I stepped back to take pictures. In my own little world, I talk to one of my favourite security guards Tom. Tom is a big, tall scary guy, I call him the BFG.

"Hey Tom, how are you?"

"Juliette, how are you my love?"

"Yeah I'm well, good result ey?"

"Great result! We were all over them!"

Tom and I were having a chat when he elbowed me and pointed towards the pitch. I looked over and there stood Leah Williamson, Arsenal & England Defender looking at me.

"Did you want a picture?" she asked.

"I'm sorry pardon?" Talking to Tom I hadn't realised that she had made her way through all the crowd waiting for pictures and signatures and that I was the last one at the end of the line.

"Did you want a picture?"

"With who?"

"With me?" she laughs

"Oh, sorry, in my own little world! No, it's okay I'm sure you want to get away I won't keep you!"

"I don't mind"

Tom gave me an encouraging push forward towards the barrier.

"This is very kind of you" I say taking my phone out, going onto selfie mode to take a selfie of us.

"You come here a lot don't you". Leah says turning to me after our selfie.

"Yeah, every match"

"You used to be here with an older lady, didn't you?"

"Yeah, my Grandma, she unfortunately passed away so I continue to come. How did you know?"

"I'm sorry about that, well it's a small ground and we do look round spot the familiar faces after a while" she laughed.

"It's okay, it was one of her favourite things to do and I love coming so it's a nice break from work"

"What do you do for work?" I was a bit taken back that Leah continued this conversation. Looking round I see that she's the only one left on the pitch.

"Uh I work in PR & marketing"

"Oh that's cool, do you enjoy it?"

"Yeah, I love it, keeps me busy hahah"

"That's good!" Leah looks around "Well I better go, thanks for coming"

"No worries, great match!"

Leah runs away, turning around and calls out "Be sure to tag me on insta with our selfie yeah?"

I just laugh as she runs away.