Worth it, he mouths.
As we step off the coach, Ava walks beside me for a few steps before the group naturally pulls us apart toward reception.
Hotel check-in happens the way it always does. Controlled chaos pretending to be organisation.
Nico from operations stands at the reception desk with a printed list, handing out key cards like exam results while the lads hover around pretending not to care which rooms they get.
“Pairs as usual,” Nico says. “No complaints, you all know the system.”
“Can I swap if he snores?” Kieran asks.
“Youarethe one who snores,” someone replies.
“That is slander.”
“There's audio evidence.”
Ava hangs back slightly, clearly unsure where she’s supposed to stand in all this. Not part of the team, not quite separate either. Just observing again, like she does. Taking it all in without making herself the centre of it.
I find myself drifting closer without really deciding to.
“Do I just… wait?” she asks quietly.
“Nico will sort you,” I say. “You’re on the list.”
She nods, reassured but still slightly out of her depth in the organised disorder of it all.
One by one the lads head toward the lifts, still arguing about dinner like it’s a tactical decision. Eventually the crowd thins until it’s just Ava, me and Nico left.
Nico hands her a key card last.
“Room 214. Second floor. Breakfast from six. Team meeting tomorrow at ten but you’ll get the media schedule separately.”
She nods. “Thank you.”
Then Nico turns to me.
“Your mum has the key to the suite.”
I nod. “Cheers.”
Nico gives a brief nod and walks off, already moving on to whatever organisational crisis is next.
Ava clearly heard the comment about my mum. I can see the question flicker across her face.
She doesn’t ask it.
Instead she just adjusts the strap of her bag and says, “I think I’m on the second floor.”
Like she’s deliberately giving me the option to say nothing.
I appreciate that more than she probably realises.
“Alfie’s here,” I say.
Her eyes lift to mine, surprised but not pushing.
“He’s on half term,” I add. “Mum brought him down on the train this morning. We're staying until Monday.”
