The Greyhounds | Jamie Tartt

Chapter 2

Making her way into the brick building that she now called her "work", Shannon Hayes bubbled with excitement and eagerness. Homegrown in Richmond, she never imagined she would be playing for a team that meant so much to her. She remembered when Rebecca Welton called her to ask for her talents at the end of last season. After all those hours spent on the public pitch and playing football in the street, she had never thought it would amount to anything more than pure fun. Because thats what football was to her. Pure fun, wonder, and excitement. It was her passion, the thing her heart pined for when she wasn't playing. She was eager to meet her new teammates and make lasting friendships. 

Stepping into the facility, she was met by a short woman that was made at least 4 inches taller by pink platform shoes. Wearing a matching set that was no doubt some designer, Keeley Jones reached her hand out for Shannon to shake it. Keeley pulled her in for a hug. Shannon was a huge fan but tried to keep her composure as she hugged Keeley Jones and introduced herself. 

"Oh! You must be the player Ted recommended! It's so great to meet you! Actually, you're the first one here so we need to wait for the others before we tour the facility," she shrieked, "EEK! I'm just so excited to meet all the girls! I love you all already and I'm so excited to see you all blossom! This is going to be so much fun!"

"Who else are we waiting for?" Shannon asked. She barely even knew who else was going to be on her new team, because Richmond was trying to keep everything under wraps. They hadn't even announced who the coach was going to be yet.

"Well lets see," Keeley looked down at her sparkly purple clipboard, "Just about everyone! Even your coach. I did tell everyone the right time, I hope" her face looked worried. 

Just then, a middle aged brunette woman wearing a white polo and a white tennis skirt appeared down the hallway, looking flustered; like she had ran to get here. Shannon deduced that she probably had. 

"Oh cock, I'm such a dunce! I really wanted to be here before anyone else got here. Hi, I'm Amy Abbott. Well, I suppose you would call me Coach Amy. Or Coach Abbott. Or just about anything, I guess I would respond to just about anything...Sorry I'm a tad discombobulated. Had to run here from my office," Coach Amy relayed. 

Shannon just stood there in shock. Amy Abbott was a hero. The captain of the English Women's team in the 90s. And she was now Shannon's coach. 

"Yes! It's very nice to meet you! I'm Shannon-"

"Hayes! I've been really trying to memorize everyone's names beforehand, thats why I'm late."

"Got it. I'm looking forward to playing for you."

"Well I'm quite looking forward to coaching you, Hayes."

Waiting in a room off to the side of the main door, players trickled in. They introduced themselves and where they were from. Shannon took note of everyone:

Jordana Santos -Brazil

Mara Novak -Croatia

Adelaide Kemp-Germany

Charlie McBride (But everyone called her Chick) -Australia

Allegra Mancini (Sister of Natalia)-Italy

Natalia Mancini(Sister of Allegra)-Italy

Naima Abbas-Somalia

Cosette Nicholis- France

Sumana Mahidol- Thailand

Rosalind Caitlyn Leala Deocampo- Philippines

Eloise Smyth-UK

Siham Khalil- Morocco