Page 87 of Hotshot

On game day, to add insult to injury, somebody had leaked a story about her argument with Sloane in front of the apartment block, saying they’d had a lover’s tiff involving Jess. It wasn’t gaining huge traction, but it was out there. Ella was too tired to look at too many responses to it, but she’d watched one YouTuber who said she was thrilled with the thought of Sloane and Jess getting back together. Did these people not know there were real people with real feelings involved?

Marina turned up at 7pm with two bottles of merlot and the Deliveroo app open on her phone. She squeezed Ella extra tight and kissed her cheek. “You’ll get through this, you’re a strong woman. Whatever the outcome.” She touched her cheeks. “You look pale. You need wine.”

Ella knew she was right on both counts. Who wouldn’t be pale, when they were about to watch their (ex?) lover play football on TV with her former fiancée? Ella couldn’t quite believe this was her life, but it was 100 per cent real.

They settled down with their curry: chicken bhuna for Ella, beef madras for Marina. Ella pulled the coffee table closer so they had somewhere to rest their plates, then she cracked open the wine and put on the football.

Marina immediately grabbed the control and turned it off.

Ella frowned. “I thought we were watching it? I really need to watch it. It’s not just because of Sloane, who I will try my best to ignore. Our goalie’s playing, along with our other striker, Nat. It’s her first call-up, and she might get some minutes. She’s so excited.” That, at least, put a smile on Ella’s face. Nat had truly earned her call-up through hard work and huge talent.

“We will watch it. But before you put yourself through that torture of watching your girlfriend—”

“Not my girlfriend.” Ella slumped on her brand-new sofa. The one she and Sloane had lain on only last week, talking about their future. Now in the bin.

“We’ll discuss that later. Before you do that, tell me what happened again.”

“I already told you.”

“You were in a state. Tell me again in a more rational way.”

Ella did.

Marina frowned. “When you turned up, Jess was there, but Sloane said she wasn’t expecting her?”

“No, but they’d been messaging. Jess sent her a ring, and they’d arranged to go for coffee. Jess also said she wanted her back.” Ella gave an exaggerated shrug. “I mean, short of taking out an advert in the paper, Jess was very clear in her intentions, and Sloane didn’t deny any of it.”

“What did Sloane say, exactly?”

“She admitted they’d been messaging. And that Jess sent back a ring Sloane had lost. I told her where to go, and left.”

“Hmmm.”

“Hmmm? I don’t know why you’re on her side. Just because she’s famous doesn’t mean she’s beyond reproach. Famous people can be arseholes, too. Or maybe it’s like before with Reba. That I’m not on her level fame-wise or with money. If she wants Jess back, maybe that plays into it. I don’t have the fame or the caché she needs.”

But Marina was already shaking her head, and waving a forkful of curry about.

Ella grabbed her hand and put it down. “Not around my new sofa, please. Curry and blue velvet do not mix.”

Marina put it down and turned to Ella. “I’m here to tell you, money and fame are not what Sloane wants. Most famous people don’t want someone who steals their limelight. Fact. Which means you’re ideal. But Sloane likes you for you: famous or not. She’s one of the good ones. I only met her a couple of times, but I could tell. Plus, I told her not to break your heart, and she agreed not to.”

“You did what?”

Marina shrugged. “It was nothing, thank me later. But my point is, I think you need to hear her side of the story before you go off the deep end. Although, yes, I know you’ve already technically dived.”

“Tom Daley levels of expertise.”

“Agreed. 9.7s across the board.”

They both smirked. The light relief was needed. They ate some food and processed for a few moments.

“But she’s tried to contact you?” Marina asked eventually.

“Yes, ever since. She’s sent me messages every day. She’s persistent.”

“Why do you think that might be?”

“Because she can’t bear to be the one who’s dumped?”

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