Mumbling their goodbyes, they start making their way to the park gates, and I watch them go. Seeing them in their new kits with ‘The Divas’ emblazoned across them fills me with a strange sense of pride. Ever since the match against Westbrook, which ended up across several social media platforms, and a local newspaper report, a few organisations banded together to give the Divas some much-needed funding. We’ve finally been able to do away with makeshift kits and get real ones. Plus, I bought proper football boots for all of the girls. I even let Jade set up an official Instagram account for the Divas, which is half the reason she shows up to practice sometimes, I think. The other half might be because of some genuine love of the game.
I start gathering up my things, and just as I’m heading out of the park, my phone buzzes. The caller ID flashes Jen’s name. I pick up immediately.
‘Hey, Jen!’ I say.
‘Hey, Dina!’ Jen says. ‘How have you been? How’s the team?’
‘Good, and they’re good. They still annoy me sometimes, but you know how they are.’
Jen laughs good-naturedly. ‘Yeah, I know they can be a handful.’ She pauses for a moment. ‘Listen, I’m calling because I know you have the match coming up.’
‘Right … you don’t have to worry about it. The girls are excited about finally having a chance to play Westbrook again and show them what they’re made of.’
‘I’m not worried.’ Jen chuckles. ‘I know that you’ve gotthem well trained. I wouldn’t have given you the reins if I didn’t trust you. I actually … heard from a scout who saw some of the social media hype surrounding the last match.’
I stop in my tracks. ‘Seriously?’
‘Yeah, seriously,’ Jen says. ‘She wanted to come and check out the match. I told her about a few of the girls, especially Sophie. And I also told her a little about you.’
‘Me?’
‘Yes, you. About your trajectory, and she was interested in talking to you. She seemed to think she might have an opportunity for you to be assistant coach to a professional team.’
‘Wait … really?’ I’ve been full-time coaching for the past few months, taking over for Jen, while she’s taken a more hands-off position at the council. But coaching a professional football team?
‘Really!’ Jen says. ‘This could be a great opportunity for you, Dina. The team play all around the country. You would get the chance to travel with them, train them, go to all their matches.’ When I started coaching, I never thought it would lead me anywhere near professional football. Now, my players are getting scouted and somebody actually thinks I could be an assistant coach for a professional team. It isn’t exactly the life I envisioned for myself when I was younger, but it feels close to it. Close to those dreams I had about being a real football player. But, for some reason, it doesn’t bring me the sense of joy that I had hoped. My image of my dream life seems to clash with my real life: the girls from the football team, Deen and the restaurant, Ma, Maya.
‘I just wanted to give you a heads-up. I’ll send you her details, and I’ll be at the match to make the introductions. How does that sound?’ Jen asks.
‘Yeah, that sounds good. I can’t wait to see you soon.’
‘Me neither.’
I hang up the phone and make my way back to the apartment, still thinking about the scout and the opportunity. I quickly take a shower and get changed, before heading out again.
When I arrive at Deen’s restaurant, the place is buzzing with people, as it often is these days. Ever since the relaunch, business has been booming. Deen’s had to hire a lot of help to keep things running smoothly, and of course I help him out during any downtime that I have. Even Ma chips in every once in a while, though Deen usually insists that she shouldn’t. He says that Ma has earned her retirement after years of hard work to keep food on the table, and that now it is our turn to take care of her. I don’t disagree with him.
I step inside the restaurant, and one of the waiters that Deen has recently hired recognises me almost instantly, though it takes me a second to remember her name.
‘Dina, everyone’s already at the table,’ Sage says, pointing me towards the table in the corner.
‘Right, of course I’m late,’ I mumble.
Sage just gives me a smile as I move past her and reach our table. Ma and Deen are on one side, while Maya and her parents are on the other. They’ve saved me a seat opposite Maya.
‘Hey, sorry I’m late,’ I say, quickly slipping into my chair. Maya catches my eye and gives me a smile, and I smile back. Seeing her is definitely the highlight of my day – of any day.
‘Not like we didn’t expect it,’ Deen mumbles under his breath, and I elbow him in the ribs. ‘We’ve already ordered, because we knew you’d be ages and we’re starving.’ Deenhas been so busy at the restaurant since the relaunch that it’s a wonder he ever takes a night off.
‘I said sorry,’ I say defensively. ‘Practice ran late, and then I had to go home and get changed. And I got a call from Jen, who had some news.’
Maya perks up at Jen’s name. ‘What news?’
‘It’s nothing too important. She’s … coming to the match next week.’
‘Oh,’ Maya brightens at that. ‘It’ll be good to see her again.’
Maya’s parents nod enthusiastically.
