Fine Line

Sharks? We cant tell them now!

The week following their win in the round of 16 was one of core building. The team were as sharp as ever in trainings after a very motivating meeting held by Sarina and the other staff.

The belief they carried forward was unmatched, each player laser focused. There wasn't a pass out of place, not a mistimed tackle, not a shot off target. The lionesses had taken it up a gear and the players felt it.

Ella was relieved to make her return to training alongside her best mate. The striker having had some rehab on her hamstring which had knotted and caused her discomfort in the Nigeria game. The midfielder had been so happy to hear that it was nothing serious. Alessia was vital to their success. Yes, there were other players more than capable of making that step up but Ella knew Alessia just had something different about her when she played. It was special to watch and even better to play alongside.

However, she still felt as though there was something on the blondes mind. She hadn't been the same with Ella since that night and morning she disappeared. Alessia was keeping something from Ella and she wanted to know what it was.
The midfielder didn't want to ask when they were around anyone else. She knew how private Alessia could be, and that would be the strikers worst nightmare. But recently, they were very rarely alone.

She walked alongside Jordan, nattering on about random stuff as they reached the beach. Zel had heard there were dolphins just off the coast and as soon as Niamh, Esme and Jordan heard that information, they nagged and nagged to go.

Overhearing the plans and tagging along, Alessia walked with Lucy. They seemed to be in deep conversation as they walked behind the rest of them, the last thing Ella wanted to do was interrupt.

"Oh look! Is that one out there?" Esme was almost exploding with excitement.

"Yeah I think it is!" Zel matched her energy.

"Do you reckon we could swim out to them?" Niamh added.

"Oh I won't be swimming in no sea!" Jordan was quick to respond.

"Why" Ella giggled.

"Would you?" Jordan giggled back.

"Absolutely not! I'll sit here and watch thanks" Ella smiled. Taking a seat on the wall at the top of the beach.

"What's going on?" Lucy smiled as she and Alessia reached the rest of the group.

"Oh, me and niamhy are going to swim out to the dolphins, do you wanna join?" Esme beamed, slipping her trainers, socks and shirt off, handing them to Zel who neatly stacked them on the wall for her an Niamh.

"Nah mate, you're alright" Lucy chuckled.

"What about you Less?" Niamh added.

"I'm good guys, we'll watch from here!" She smiled, sitting down on the wall next to Tooney.

Jordan and Zel followed suit before Lucy leant against the wall on the sand below them.

"What were you and Lucy chatting about then" Ella nudged at the blondes side.

"Just general chit chat to be honest, nothing juicy" she replied.

"Arsenals not so bad that you're looking to move to Barca already!" Ella chuckled, nudging the blonde next her with her shoulder.

"Oh shut up" Alessia repaid the favour.

"You'd come back up north anyway wouldn't ya" Ella added playfully, but there was an element to her tone that was serious, she couldn't control it.

Alessia sucked air in through her teeth shrugging.

"I do miss you" Alessia looked up, Ella noticed a small panic as she rushed to add "I miss you all!" The striker looked across to Zel who was yapping away to Lucy and Jordan.