My No. 23

The Call

As I got to the car Kyra was stood talking to Beth and Viv. They all asked what was said and I told them. Thankfully Alessia never mentioned the locker room, I wasn't really wanting that aired to everyone. After a couple of minutes of chatting and them all assuring me it happens all the time we got in our cars and headed home.

Once I got home I went for a long shower. Once I was feeling fresh and a lot more relaxed I came out.
I put a pair of cream joggies on and a matching cream hoodie just for chilling. My phone dings

McCabe: Bell, I heard about your convo with the gaffer. You okay? x

News clearly travels around fast here.

Molly: yeah feeling a bit better now, just disappointed in myself x

McCabe: You shouldn't beat yourself up, it's just one of those things. And it'll happen again. But you can't let it get you down x

Molly: yeah that's cheered me up tnx :/ x

McCabe: I'll cheer you up, don't bother with dinner I'll be round in half an hour x

Half an hour. I sat staring at the text for a minute. Then it sunk in I now had 25 minutes. I ran into my bed room and dried my hair and done my best to quickly straighten it. Before I knew it I only had a couple minutes. I quickly ran around tidying everything up. And before I knew it there was a chap at the door. I walk quickly to the door. When I open the door Katie turns from facing Kyra's door. It's like she moves in slow motion. She flashes her perfect white teeth at me.

"Ahright girl" she says to me as I fully open the door. She's wearing grey joggies and a white crew neck jumper and her hair as always in a pony tail. She strides in holding a couple of bags.
"What's all this?" I ask laughing and closing the door behind her.
"Well, I know you were bummed out about earlier" she began heading over to the kitchen and opening all the cupboards until she found some glasses. "So I thought I'd try cheer you up". She leans back from the counter turning slightly to look at me. I head over to the kitchen and peek over her shoulder. She's got a bottle of rosé wine. She quarter fills the two glasses she's pulled out.
"How about you find us something to watch?" She says going back to the bag.

I head over to the couch and start flicking through Netflix.
"Do you like Harry Potter?" I shout to her.
"Never seen it" she says back not turning around. I sit there with an over dramatic stunned face and say nothing until she turns to face me.
"Just never thought it'd be my thing I guess" she laughed. She then walked over and placed the two glasses of wine on the coasters laid out on the coffee table before going back to the kitchen and coming back with two plates. They were half plates of chicken chow mein and then half salt and pepper chips.
"How did you know this was my favourite?" I ask taking the plate off her. The intro to Philosopher Stone starting.
"I may have enlisted the help of Kyra" she said as she sat on the seat next to me. Still a bit of space between us as we start to eat. Kyra must've been looking out the window when Katie first got here and that's why she was looking. Typical Kyra.

We are, drank and watched. After the first hour of the film we had finished eating and had a couple glasses of wine. Every couple of minutes Katie would ask something or would point out how some part of it was ridiculous.

Katie took the plates to the sink. A minute later she came back with a big bowel of sweet popcorn. When she sat down we were right beside each other. Barely an inch of space between us. She kicks her feet up side on to the couch and leaning her arm onto the back of the couch. I feel a flush of red going up my neck.
"You going to fake a yawn next?" I ask trying to cover up my nerves. She chuckles.
"Yeah, you'd love that wouldn't you" she says back smiling and gently poking my side. It causes me to jolt and next thing Ive half fell onto her. "Sorry" I quickly say. As I look up our eyes meet. We're only a couple of centimetres apart. She holds my gaze for a moment and then breaks it to look down at my lips. My eyes move down to hers. Her lips looking soft and the corners turned up slightly. There was a heavy tension in the air.

It suddenly broke as my phone rang. Katie slowly leaned back, as did I looking around startled by the sudden noise. My phone had fell down the side of the couch and when I got it I saw it was an unknown number.
"Two seconds, stay right here" I whisper to Katie and she smiles.
I walk to the furthest point of the kitchen and answer it.

"Hello?" I say.
"Hello, is this Molly?" A woman is on the other end with a strong Dutch accent.
"Yes, this is her" I reply.
"Molly, nice to speak with you. This is Sarina Wiegman." She says back. There is a pause until I find my voice.
"Sarina Wiegman?!" I say back down the phone quickly turning to look at Katie who clearly was listening because her eyes bolted wide open.
"Molly, I was just looking to talk to you. I have watch your last couple of games and have been very impressed". I can't move or make a sound my whole body has frozen stuff. Katie's gotten up and is now stood right beside me listening intently smiling.
"We have an England camp in a month and I am very glad to say we are hoping you might like to join us?"
Both mine and Katie's head spin to face one another. She's nodding her head and whispering "yes say yes".
"Oh my god" I finally stutter out. "Is this for real?" I ask. Katie laughs and I can hear Sarina laughing down the phone quietly.
"Yes Molly this is all real. I am surprised you havnt flagged up on our scouts radar before now. But better late than never. So what do you say?" She finishes.
"Yes of course I'd love that! Thank you so much Sarina."
We talk for a couple more minutes before saying bye.

Katie is still stood right beside me as I hang the phone up. We pause for a second and then both start celebrating. Her clearly as happy as I was. I threw my arms around her neck for a hug and she pulled me in at the waist. She spun me around. When we stopped our eyes met for a moment before we took a step apart.
"I can't believe that just happened" i say to fill the silence. I look around unable to stop myself from smiling like an idiot. This was Katie McCabe I was talking to. Someone who has been playing for her country for years. She didn't let that stop her from having the biggest smile on her face.
"I'm so chuffed for ya" she said pulling me in for another cuddle.

We go back to the couch but instead of watching the rest of the film we have it playing in the background while we chat and laugh about hunners. Were sat in the same position as before but it's more relaxed. Katie's showing me videos on her phone. I'm leaned into her. It's comfy.

We're like this for another hour. "Well Bell, this has been great but I think it's time I headed". She said getting to her feet.
"You can't drive! You've been drinking. I know the irish can handle their drink but you're not doing that". I exclaimed. She takes a step forward and moved my hair behind my ear.
"Are you going to offer me your bed to sleep it off?" She says in an over seductive voice. As she steps back she smiles seeing the affect it has on me.
"I'll offer you a pillow on the floor" I say laughing giving her a nudge.
"Well in that case I'll get home how I got here.. walking." She smiles. "I only live 5 minutes round the corner."
I roll my eyes and walk her to the door. She hugs me and kisses my cheek. "Again Bell, km so chuffed for ya! I can't back England yeknow but I'll be backing you." She says with a wink before heading out the door.
I watch her wander off up the street. Just before she's out of sight she turns and waves.
I wave back.