Invisible string (Robin Le Normand)

Chapter 15

The day after the party, Robin headed to the airport by himself. Leire had to stay in San Sebastián for another day to visit some family so Robin had the house to himself. For someone who had gotten so used to living alone, he had developed an allergy to it now. It was so much nicer to be home and find a random mug with some coffee left that Leire forgot in the living room's table. Her scent seemed to have disappeared from the house too. And that was a tragedy.

"Hello?"

"Hi Robin. It's Ramón, the secretary at Las Rozas".

"Oh, hi Ramón. How are you doing? Hopefully I'll see you at the next international break".

"Yes", laughed Ramón. "How's the injury going?"

"It's alright. I should be back on the pitch soon".

"Good good. So...I was calling you because the federation wants to do a little event for you guys who got injured. Are you in Madrid?"

"I am. Just got back actually".

"Can you come here tomorrow afternoon? It won't take long but it'll be nice to have everyone around. Your injury is not as bad as Rodri's, thankfully, but still".

"Sounds good", said Robin and then remembered he was supposed to pick Leire up from the airport. "When should I get there?"

"Does 4 work for you?"

Maths hadn't been Robin's favourite subject but he tried to use all of his mathematical skills to calculate and...it could work.

"Yeah. Is it ok if I bring a friend with me? I'm meant to pick her up from the airport an hour earlier and I won't have time to drive her home".

"No problem. See you tomorrow then?"

"See you then. Thanks for the call".

Robin could have told Leire about the change of plans but they hadn't really spoken after their little argument in San Sebastián. And perhaps he also didn't tell her because that way, she would have to spend more time with him. And Robin always wanted to spend more time with Leire.

"Hey, good flight?"

"Yeah", said Leire, trying to take her suitcase but Robin was faster than her. "I can carry my own stuff".

"I'm aware of that".

"Are you in a hurry?", she asked, noticing how fast Robin walked.

"I need to go to Las Rozas. To the place were the Spanish national team trains".

"But you're injured".

"I know. But they invited me and the other injured players. For like team bonding or whatever".

"Nice. Have fun".

"You're coming with me", told her Robin while he put her suitcase on his car's boot.

"Why?"

"I have no time to drop you home and then go back there so...it's fine. It won't take long. You can have a coffee while I talk to the boys".

"Are there any boys I know in the squad?"

"A few..."

Leire decided that she would punish Robin for not telling her about this new plan by being the one who chose what music they'd listen to while he drove them to Las Rozas.

"My favourite song".

"I know you love this band, come on".

"I actually hated listening to them the last two years".