Page 99 of Matched Up

‘Yeah, I was actually thinking, what if I could coach a team of kids that are all carers?I mean, I know there would be so much to organize and it’s complicated.It’s a stupid idea …’

My heart swelled.‘Shane, it’s the opposite of a stupid idea,’ I said genuinely.

‘You think?I had this idea about using the Ferndale grounds early mornings, like when we did our training because I always helped out Dad at seven a.m., and I bet there are loads of kidswho do the same.And it really helped me.Those few hours cleared my head, and being with you made me happier than I’ve been in years.’He couldn’t stop smiling.

‘I love you,’ I said.

‘I love you too,’ he replied.

And I thought my heart might burst all over again.

36

Officially joining Ferndale FC was much less complicated than Westing.There was one form to fill out instead of a million and not that it really mattered to Mum and Dad, but it cost half the price.And it didn’t matter when Shane couldn’t come to some of the practices; he wasn’t kicked off the team or made to feel guilty about it.Raj knew his situation, so it was totally cool.

‘Oh, I was thinking about your idea,’ Raj said to him one day at practice.He glanced over at me.‘You know Shane’s idea to set up a football team for young carers?’

I nodded and he continued.

‘Well, I spoke to the club, and they said they’d be happy to let you use the pitches two mornings a week.’He took a drag of a cigarette I hadn’t even seen him light.‘As long as I come too.Something to do with insurance, but I’d stopped listening by that point.’

Shane’s face lit up with a grin.‘Are you serious?’

Raj nodded.

‘Thanks so much, man.’Shane slapped his shoulder and Raj flashed him a smile, before walking away.

I felt such a rush of love for Shane.‘It’ll be amazing.Aslong as you don’t teach them all the secret skills you taught me,’ I said with a wink, pulling Shane’s hand and leading him towards the back of the clubhouse.This time I leaned against the wall.Both of us out of sight.

‘I do miss our private coaching sessions,’ Shane said.

‘Maybe we should restart them,’ I said, pulling him towards me and I got lost in Shane for the next five minutes before practice.

Practice with Ferndale was amazing.Half the kids weren’t even dressed for football.One girl was even wearing jeans.

Afterwards I went back to Shane’s house for dinner, where he cooked for us all.

I was in awe of him.How much he did.How much he could do.And I was so comfortable there with his family, chatting away to his dad like I’d known him forever.

‘Oh, we have our first league game with Ferndale this weekend.Do you think you’d maybe want to come?’Shane looked across the table at his dad.‘I could help get you down and everything; we could get a taxi.I mean, don’t worry if it’s too hard.I know it’s not easy,’ Shane waved away his suggestion.

‘We’d love to come,’ his mum answered for him.

I watched her squeeze Shane’s dad’s hand.And then I looked at Shane, who had the biggest grin on his face.

‘And Tammy will want to come too,’ said his mum.‘I think she loves it more than your dad.’

When I got home, I told Niall and Megan about the game.‘Actually, we kind of need another couple of players if you fancy it?’

They looked at each other on the sofa, then back to me.

‘Sure,’ Niall said.‘Why not?’

‘Amazing.OK, just wear something green.Anything.I’ll let Raj know you’re coming.’

On the phone to Shane that night I described the sea again, looking out at the lough.

‘Don’t you think it’s weird how much we don’t know about the sea?’I said.

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