MASTERMIND | Jamie Tartt

THIRTY FOUR: CALL IT FATE

"Morning," Billie smiled at her brother and Coach Beard as she and Keeley joined the two men in their office, "Me and Keeley have something to ask you."

"We've got a fun, new branding opportunity for a coach, it's only one public appearance, it's decent money, would be really good for the club, Bils would be there with you to capture the content," Keeley filled them in on the opportunity that had been placed in their joint inbox that morning.

"Would either of you want to help us out by being a spokesperson for this-" Billie's voice trailed off, noticing the men's mutual disinterest as she gave Keeley a knowing glance, the sort of glance she gave the woman just half an hour beforehand when she suggested approaching Roy about the opportunity, as if to say 'I told you he'd hate the idea.'

"You were right," Keeley sighed at her best friend before glancing at both Roy and Beard, "Fuck you both."

"I respect that we didn't have to say a word," Coach Beard simply muttered as Keeley left the room.

"They get us," Roy nodded at his sister.

"I'm going to be a spokesperson," Nate grinned as he entered the room, "Where's Ted?"

"He texted, he has some emergency." Beard explained calmly.

"What emergency?" Nate frowned.

"I didn't ask."

"Why not?" Nate frowned again.

"It's his emergency," Billie and Roy answered in unison, having always had a good sense of respect for privacy, especially in emergency based situations, having a sister who worked in medicine.

"If he wanted him to know, he would've said," Roy explained the siblings' point as Beard pointed at the Kents in agreement.

"We have an FA Cup semi final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, who's running training?" Nate remarked, folding his arms, clearly unimpressed that he hadn't been kept in the loop.

"Me."

"You?" Nate exclaimed, far too perplexedly, considering that out of everyone in that room, Roy Kent was the one with the most professional football experience, not to mention a Champions League title and caps playing for England.

"Ted asked, I don't give a shit," Roy replied as both his and Billie's phones buzzed.

The siblings both glanced down at their phones to see one new message in the groupchat they shared with their sister, which they had lovingly titled, 'Kunts'.

Billie looked up at Roy after reading their sister's message which explained that Phoebe was in trouble at school, and work needed her to stay on shift.

"I'll handle this," Roy promptly told his sister before looking at both the coaches "I've got to go."

"Where are you going?" Nate frowned.

"None of your fucking business," Roy quipped before strolling out of the office, Billie smiling as Beard pointed at Roy in agreement, yet again. 

Nate let out a heavy sigh, "Well, guess that just leaves us two, I mean-"

"You can run training," Beard quickly answered.

"Yeah, no, thank you, that will be great, yes, thank you," Nate nodded before leaving the room.

"I'm gonna sign off on some content with the boys ahead of this weekend's match," Billie told Beard, "If Ted calls, tell him I can take the rest of the day off if he needs help with anything."

Beard offered Billie a prompt thumbs up before she left the office, heading straight for the gym where the team were working out, building their strength in preparation for their match against their own personal Goliath. Body by Tion Wayne was playing through the speakers, which she knew meant Colin was on the aux.