Page 6 of Hotshot

“Soccer, but we’ll agree to differ.”

“The best striker in the business. With an attitude, too. A hotshot, literally.”

Sloane’s eyes creased for a moment. “A hotshot? I hope in the nicest possible way?”

Ella contorted her face in an effort to keep it still. She hadn’t meant that to come out of her mouth. “Of course. I’ve only heard good things about you. You’re more than fine on the pitch. But what about away from training? Have you been out with some of the girls?”

Another nod.

Ella wanted to dive deeper, but it was unlikely to happen in the first session. Clients were always buttoned up physically and emotionally when they first chatted.

As if confirming that, Sloane sat up and crossed her arms over her chest before she spoke.

Text book.

“It’s all good. We’ve been out after training to Shot Of The Day, the coffee shop Michelle runs with her wife.”

Ella was yet to go, but she knew it was a popular destination. Michelle Howard was a stalwart of the team, coming to the end of her career. She and her wife had opened their coffee shop last year, very close to the training ground. With alcohol generally off the menu, most players’ drug of choice was caffeine. Ella needed to find her own coffee shop to frequent now she was working here regularly. She could go there, but it was a player hangout.

“And in the evenings? I’ve just moved into my own flat here and I don’t know anyone in the local area. I know it can get lonely.” She was born here, but her family moved two hours east to the coast when she was nine. Salchester was still their closest big city, the hub of the north, just over two hours on a train from London.

Sloane hugged her body a little tighter, and creased her brow. “I’m used to that. I like my own company. I’ve got Netflix, I speak to my brother, and Jess.” Her mouth twitched.

Ah, yes. The fiancée Sloane had left in the US. It wasn’t unusual in their line of work, but Ella wanted to know why.

“How’s Jess doing?”

“She’s good. Busy with her team. We’re both focusing on our own careers at the moment. A soccer player’s window is short, so this move made sense for me right now.”

Ella pressed her tongue into the side of her cheek as she gave Sloane a reassuring nod.

A flash of vulnerability worked its way across Sloane’s face, but she covered it up by clearing her throat. She dropped Ella’s gaze.

“But she’ll be in the country for international camp in October? Lucy told me you’re staying put and not going back for yours.”

Sloane flinched.

It was almost unnoticeable.

But Ella noticed.

“If she gets picked. But that’s in Surrey, not here.”

“You won’t see her?”

“No plans as yet. The schedule’s very tight.”

That answer told her all she needed to know. Sloane and Jess were on the rocks, and that could impact Sloane’s footballing output this season.

“You’re settling into the city, though, that’s great to hear. First game coming up when we head to Germany on our pre-season tour. What do you think will be your biggest challenges?”

Sloane took a deep breath, then gave Ella a defiant stare. “Bedding into an established team is going to be key, but I’ve done it before, so I’m ready for it.” She dropped her head, sat forward, then turned to Ella. “You don’t have to psychoanalyse me. I’m quite an open book on the field. I’ve read a lot of performance books, and I used to have a coach for it. I know what to do. There will be challenges, but I’m ready to meet them head-on. I thrive on challenge. I like to take risks. I’ve had success and failure and know they’re both important. I live for the pressure. Bring on the first game.”

Now it was Ella’s turn to raise an eyebrow. Sloane was talking in clichés. “If you make me redundant, I’m thrilled.” She was lying. Her skin prickled under Sloane’s stare. “I get that you’ve done this work before, and you’ve read all the books. But if you’re that well versed, you know there’s never a time when you have it all figured out. This is a constant journey of learning and relearning. Of making yourself vulnerable and brilliant again and again. You can do it on your own, or you can do it with me as your cheerleader.” She paused. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been a fan of cheerleaders. Someone on your side, willing to spin and tumble just for you? That sounds like the ultimate to me.”

Maybe it was time to throw in a personal titbit to pull Sloane back from the defensive edge? She didn’t normally do it so quickly, but Sloane was a different case.

“My mum was my cheerleader. She never looked great in the short skirt, and her pom-poms were a little worn, but having her in my corner gave me wings. That little bit extra every time I came up against a challenge. That’s what the management team here are for. Lucy, the trainers, physios, nutritionists, psychologists. Me as an added extra on the side. We’re here to fight your background battles and make sure your path is clear, so that when you’re on the pitch, all you have to think of is you and the game.”

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