Page 38 of The Lady and the Footballer
As much as she liked to claim herself to be independent, she actually liked the thought of someone protecting her.
Colin certainly did all that and more.
Today, he was so close yet so far – on the same train as her, but in a completely different car, one nearly inaccessible to her.
It was a true metaphor to their places in life.
“I am only thinking of the football club,” she said now to Emmaline, which was not altogether a lie. “How do you think they will fare today?”
That provided Emmaline enough distraction to launch herself into her favorite subject. Lily listened, her ears perking up at the mention of Colin’s name. Emmaline thought him to be a key component of their team, vital to their success this season.
Lily would be sure to watch him closely.
It was just shy of a two-hour train ride to Nottingham, where carriages met the team and its spectators for a short ten-minute drive to The County Ground, home of the Notts County team. Lily caught glimpses of the River Trent through the window until the pitch came into view. It was as simple as those in Manchester, the ground surrounded by wooden stands and open terraces.
It was already filled with people, and Lily’s heart started beating hard at the thought of the game to come.
“We’ll be in the stands today,” Lily’s father said from across the carriage, and Lily didn’t miss Emmaline’s glee, although she kept it subdued due to the presence of Lily’s parents. Lily’s mother heaved a sigh, but Lily was thrilled. It was hard to truly appreciate the game's pace when sitting in a carriage at one end.
“I do not want to be among that crowd,” her mother said, pointing to the filling stands, and her father shook his head.
“We will not be among them.” Lily hated how he saidthemas though they were not even people.
“Notts County has a private area, under the covered stands. It is not only comfortable but also has the best views of the field. There will be other ladies and gentlemen as well. Most will be on the side of Notts County, of course, but it will be respectable. There are even supporters from other clubs here to watch the game to see what they will face in the coming matches.”
“Who will be in attendance?” Lily asked, a feeling of dread rising in her as she already knew, without her father saying, just who he would name.
“Well, Lord Montgomery and his family, for one.”
Her mother seemed satisfied with that, although Lily and Emmaline exchanged a look of distaste. They would have to be sure to stay a reasonable distance away.
“Not to worry, Lily,” her father said, accurately reading her expression. “All will be well.”
She doubted that, but she would focus on the game.
And on one player in particular. But that would have to stay her secret, for to put it into words was only inviting disappointment.
Even Emmaline likely wouldn’t understand it.
The truth was, she was beginning to fall for Colin Thornton – even though she knew better.
While many of his teammates were busy firing themselves up for the match, Colin was doing quite the opposite.
He found he performed better in a significant match when he sat and calmed his mind, allowing his body to prepare for the game. Otherwise, he became overzealous and lacked proper control.
As he and Tommy kicked the ball back and forth before the match began, the rest of his team focused on Notts County, sizing up their players.
His gaze, however, kept floating toward the stands, especially the covered area, which, judging from the dress of the gentlemen and the few women who stood among them, was private.
He wondered if Lily was there.
Colin was so focused on looking for her that the ball smacked him right in the side of the face.
“Hey!” he called out to Tommy. “What was that for?”
“Just trying to get your attention,” Tommy responded. “Nothing else seemed to be working. Are you going to play this game or stand there picking daisies?”
Colin booted the ball back at him as hard as he could, but Tommy managed to capture control of it.
