Borrowed • Jesse Lingard

eight.

Walking into the pool room I huff as I throw my phone on the table, dramatic I know but it sums up how I'm feeling.

"What's up with you?" Sam asks lifting her eye mask.

"I give up Sam. Like for real this time" I say as I walk over and join Sam on the loungers next to the pool.

"What's happened?"

"I've just realised that it's physically impossible for me to live in this area. I'm looking at houses and apartments that I'm falling in love with and I know I'll never be able to live there. It's way over my budget. I'm just going to sort out flights and go back to Australia after we've been to America. Once I'm back I could maybe find somewhere in this area that's cheaper to rent but for now that plan is on hold. Alderley Edge obviously isn't the neighbourhood for me or my budget" I explain to Sam knowing there's no way I could stretch my budget to live in this area even if I do find an amazing job. These houses aren't build for regular people with a regular salary.

"Why don't you let Chris help you? I know you're an independent woman and all that but there's nothing wrong with letting your brother do something for you" I look at Sam as if she's crazy. I can't let my brother do this.

"Have you been smoking crack? That's not happening! My brother doing something for me is I don't know maybe him taking me to the airport instead of me getting a taxi not buying me a house that's worth more than two million! That's one of the most outrageous things you've ever said!"

"We all want you to stay in Cheshire and if that's what it takes I'll go to extreme lengths to keep you here. Why don't you just stay here until you find somewhere? You don't have to go back to Australia. It's not like we're struggling for space" Sam gestures to the large house around us but I know I can't live with my brother and his family long term.

"You need me out of your hair. You might be my family but you're still adjusting to being a family of three. Even if I go back with mum I can still come and visit all the time. It's only a few hours away" I don't want to leave Cheshire but for now it's my best option.

"All I'm saying is don't rush into anything. Just focus on America and us having the time of our lives. I know you can't wait to go to Disney World with the kids plus we could try to squeeze in a New York trip while we're there"

"A New York trip sounds good. Where is Leo? I haven't heard him yet" I ask realising it's rather quiet.

"He's out with your mum. Your mum wanted to spend the day with him before she goes home. I'm surprised she isn't coming to America with us to be honest"

"She wants to get back to though doesn't she? I think if she could get more holidays from work she'd have came with us" I say as I relax back on the lounger next to Sam.

"There's always next time" I agree with Sam hoping one day my mum will join us on holiday.

Four days later I board the plane and find my seat grateful that I've been allocated one of the business class seats unlike some of the people who are travelling with the team, maybe it's because I'm family and not press who knows? Looking to the left of me I notice Sam on the far side of the plane with Leo and my brother. Hearing my name I turn around to see Tyler walking down the aisle of the plane.

"Where's Montana? I need to find her?"

"I'm here Tyler what's wrong?" I ask wondering why he sounds so desperate to find me.

"I want to sit with you but dad said I have to sit with him or mum. He said I can't sit with you" Tyler explains looking genuinely gutted.

"Why don't you sit in your seat until the aeroplane is in the air then you can come and sit with me or we could even go to the bar and have some juice together. There isn't room here for you, you need to be on a seat where you can put a seatbelt on or we could've sat together" I hug Tyler reassuring him that he will see me during the flight before he wanders off to find his seat.