“Awesome. Can’t wait.” I sat down on the bed, unusually tired, feeling myself finally start to relax. Maybe the past few months, no, years, were starting to catch up with me.
Vicky folded her arms and leant against the doorframe. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Maybe a little tired from the journey. I’m so happy to be here with you guys.”
“They’re an easy-going bunch. There’ll be no pressure.”
“Thank you for letting me join your holiday, Vic. I really appreciate it.”
“Not at all. You’re a pal. I’m glad you’re here and we can spend more time together. It’s going to be great.”
I smiled, feeling so welcomed. Vicky had generously invited me onto her friends’ holiday after I revealed I was struggling to know what to do with myself now I wasn’t training and playing football every day.
In the three weeks since I’d wrapped up my engagements with Arsenal, the club that was built into my DNA since supporting them as a child with my dad, I’d had a weekend away in a Scottish castle to celebrate my retirement with Nikki and Sophie, my two closest friends and teammates at Arsenal and England. It was a perfect weekend full of spa treatments, outdoor jacuzzis, laughter and champagne with sunset views over the hills. But that was about it in terms of activities.
The only thing in my diary was a meeting with Nike in a couple of months for a new advert I was appearing in. I could have a full schedule of media, youth coaching, and brand activities if I wanted, but I’d said no to pretty much all of it. I needed a break from people expecting things from me. Although the last thing I wanted to do was sit around the house all day with nothing to do except ruminate on the end of my career, hence, why I was here.
“Before I leave you to it,” Vicky said, one hand on the doorframe, “do you get up early or do you tend to sleep in?”
“I’m an early bird.”
“Thought so. Most of us go to bed late, and Mathilde and I don’t really get up until mid-morning or the afternoon sometimes, so you might be on your own in the mornings.”
“That’s no problem. You guys carry on. I’ll entertain myself. I might go for a walk along the beach or a run in the hills before it gets too hot.”
“Okay, sweet. There’s a great wee shop down the road if you want to get something. The market in town is great too.”
“Brilliant. I’ll maybe go there tomorrow.”
“Right. I’m off to get dinner ready. It’s Mathilde’s and my turn tonight.”
After Vicky left, I closed the door and took off all my clothes. I lay on the bed, spreading my arms and legs like I was doing a star jump. It was such a relief to be free of my clothes in this heat. The ceiling fan did little to help.
I put my arms behind my head and crossed my feet at my ankles. My chest loosened. My breathing slowed. This was the perfect place to keep my mind off the impending doom of not knowing what I was going to do with the rest of my life.
The life I’d known was over. What was ever going to top winning the Champions Leage at age thirty-five? Or the Euros for the second time in a row? I couldn’t think of a single thing in life that would ever be as thrilling, and that one thought scared the shit out of me. Keeping fit and healthy would always be important to me, but I no longer needed to be an athlete performing at the highest level. I’d spent years prioritising hard work, routine, and discipline. For the first time in my adult life, well since I was a child, there was no gruelling pre-season strength and conditioning coming up. Maybe I could skip the runs on this trip and stayout as late as I wanted? I could do anything I liked now, which was such an unfamiliar feeling.
My bedroom door opened and someone came right into my room, seeing me very naked.
I grabbed the sheet to cover myself but it was too late.
“Oh, sorry!” She jumped out of her skin, turning around, shielding her eyes.
I grabbed more of the sheet.
She’d already left, closing the door behind her.
I wasn’t one to get embarrassed but that was kind of exposing. I shuffled to the door under my makeshift outfit. It must have been Rona.
And I was correct. Rona was right outside my door, blushing. “I’m so sorry about that.” She put her hand on her head, not looking at me.
“Don’t worry about it.” I shrugged.
She replied with a shaky exhale and a word I couldn’t make out, half high-pitched noise. She really suited her rimless aviator glasses. I’d known she was attractive, but in real life, she was so much hotter.
“Anyway, hi. I’m Lily. You must be Rona?” I smiled. “You were in that bandSculpt, weren’t you?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Hi.”
