The Captain's Heart

forty-nine

26th August 2022 – six months and twenty-nine days old.

Stretching her arms above her head, Leah sighs as she glances at Kim who has Rory fast asleep cradled against her chest. They've been at training a little over forty-five minutes and have been called into a meeting by Jonas for a reason that none of them seem to know.

'Okay guys, going to keep this short and sweet but I just wanted to let you know that for the next few days we're going to be missing Steph and for an undecided amount of time we're going to be missing Imogen... Now Steph should be back for the start of the season but at the moment I'm not entirely sure whether Imogen will be.' Jonas says and immediately Lia reaches out to rest her hand on the blonde's knee.

'That's all for today so if you guys just get back to your individualised plans and then we'll all meet out on the pitches after lunch.' Jonas adds. The past few days have been shit to say the least; she feels like she's been walking around in a daze, pretty much just going through the motions to get through the day and get home.

'You okay?' Lia asks softly and the blonde can feel several sets of concerned eyes on her as she takes a deep breath.

'Mm... I need to try and get Rory down for a nap.' Leah replies pushing herself into a standing position and making her way over to Kim. She silently takes the baby into her arms and leaves the room causing Lia to sigh and glance at Kim.

'She's not okay.' Lia says and Kim nods her head.

'What are we going to do?' Kim asks.

'I really don't know, Kim.' Lia replies shaking her head.

****

'Leah, you're going to hurt yourself... You need to stop.' They hear Beth almost shouting as they near the gym causing them to both speed up. They reach the gym to find Leah on a treadmill, sweat dripping off her as she runs probably fasten than she should be, with most of the other girls crowded round her in an attempt to get her to slow down.

'Ye need to slow down, mate... This isn't going to help you and it's not going to help whatever is going on with Imogen.' Katie says and immediately the blonde takes a sharp intake of breath, her eyes close slightly as both Lia and Kim jog in the direction of the treadmill.

'We've got this.' Kim says softly as she ushers the rest of the girls away and out of the gym.

'Le, it's only me... Can we slow down this a bit so that we can talk, ey?' Lia asks softly, her hand reaching out to rest on the blonde's arm.

'I just want to know if she's okay... Obviously she's not okay because why wouldn't she be here? And what does he mean an undecided amount of time?' Leah asks, a small nod of her head giving the Swiss-midfielder permission to reach out and slowly decrease the speed at which the treadmill is going.

'I don't know, Le. This isn't down to you though, if something is going on that she's taking time away and an unspecified amount of time at that then this is much bigger than the argument that you guys had. In the nicest way possible, this is much bigger than your relationship. I know you love her but I think you need to let her come to you when she's ready. I think she needs time and she needs space to deal with whatever is going on and I think you need to give her that, Le... I know it's shitty and I know it hurts but if there is any chance of you guys working out, you need to give her time.' Lia replies as the treadmill comes to a stop and she can see the tears which are now free-flowing down the blonde's cheeks.

'I'm sorry.' Leah almost whispers, Lia reaching out to steady her as she shakily makes her way off the treadmill.

'Come here you... You've got nothing to be sorry for.' Lia replies softly. Wrapping her arms around the blonde, she immediately pulls her into her chest as she begins to sob quietly. It's around ten minutes later that Kim returns with Jonas by her side, the pair making their way over to them both.

'Leah, do you want to come have a chat in my office?' Jonas asks softly, his hand stretching out to rest on the blonde's back.

'I'm okay... I'm just worried about Imogen and was just having a moment.' Leah replies shaking her head.

'I understand that but I think we should go have a chat... Wally and Kim can come as well if you want? It's nothing serious.' Jonas says causing the blonde to sigh as she glances at where Rory is sprawled out on a gym mat fast asleep.

'I can stay and watch her if you'd rather? Take Wally with you?' Kim offers and Leah nods her head.

'Thanks, Kim...' Leah replies quietly.

****

'So, I've spoken with Steph who has got the okay from Imogen for me to give you a little bit more information... Now I don't know everything that's going on but Imogen says that you know more than most people so you'll understand.' Jonas begins and Leah nods her head.

'Firstly, I've been asked to assure you that her making the decision to take time away from training isn't because of you. Imogen has just noticed that in herself, she needs some time to process and work through whatever the situation is that she's struggling with. Steph said Imogen also wanted me to make it very clear to you that she's safe, she said she's not quite able to say she's okay but she is staying at Steph's house and she's safe...' Jonas continues as Leah immediately reaches up to wipe the tears from her cheeks.

'Now, Imogen also wanted me to let you know that she has seen your messages and that she's sorry she hasn't replied but she's not been in the right headspace to reply. She says she just needs some time, whether that be a few days or a few weeks, she's not quite sure but she will message you as soon as she is okay and ready to talk.' Jonas says.

'H-Have you seen her?' Leah asks and Jonas shakes his head.

'All my communication lately with Imogen has been through Steph.' Jonas replies.

'I'm sorry... I've let my personal life interfere with my training and I just- I'm sorry.' Leah says causing Jonas to sigh.

'You don't have to apologise. You were worried about her and that's perfectly normal. I am however taking you off training for the day; I think you need to just get your head straight and then come back tomorrow when you're ready.' Jonas replies.

'I don't want to go home.' Leah admits.

'I'm not sending you home, Leah. I'm just saying I don't want you to train today. You can sit in the canteen, have lunch with the girls. You can come sit out at the pitches with Rory... You don't have to go home but you're not training.' Jonas says and Leah nods her head.

'Thanks, Jonas.' Leah replies quietly.