Connections

15

*

"I have something I think you should hear" I put my mug down and Lucy looks concerned, eyebrows furrowed behind her glasses and her lips pursed, "we played Birmingham the other weekend and Steph wanted to introduce me to Ellen. We had a nice conversation but all while Lucy looked on" I start.

"Stan?".

I nod, "it was just a coincidence she was with Ellen. Her and Steph left, leaving us in an awkward position but we coped with it like professionals. We talked about my job and she asked about you through gritted teeth, but I couldn't give her what she wanted having not seen you lately and Keira not talking about you around the CFA" I explain.

Lucy tenses a little, her fists clenching in her lap.

"Anyway, Lucy then went on to say something along the lines of how 'it's hard to be with you on camp and still see the effects of a former partner'".

I pause.

"It's totally bonkers because we parted on good terms, no hard feelings and I basically set you two up. I didn't influence your move down here because I didn't know you then. I don't understand it. I was never rude to her, her family or to Laura...".

"It's only when the defender pulls me in for a hug, do I realise I'm crying.

My breathing is all over the place and I can already feel that Lucy's top is damp, "sshh, it's ok. I got you" Lucy says into my hair, rocking to help keep me calm as I close my eyes and focus on my breathing, matching it to hers. It's been a while since someone held me like this and even though it's wrong and the circumstances surrounding it are a little dubious, I know it's wrong and that the person with me makes the situation more complicated.

"Lucy?"

I lift my head to see the defender's eyes staring down at me.

"Will you... stay?" I hesitate, not wanting to know her answer and my heart sinks when she breaks eye contact with me, "you know I can't" she whispers. "Will you at least talk to Lucy then? Ask her why she said those things and why she thinks that? Please" I plead and she nods, "I'll try my best".

Thanking her, I sit up a little, "now, who can I call to come and sit with you for a bit?" she asks, "KB? Abbie? Steph? Your mum?".

I manage to croak out Steph and I listen in to her call with the City captain.

"I'll stay until she arrives".

*

The next morning

Steph's POV.

"Where's Lottie?" Nikita asks from across the table, "she wasn't feeling too well and so Nick was letting her come in later".

Thankfully the forward can't see through my white lie and I get on with eating my food, checking everyone is ok and catching KB's eye, the keeper holding my attention for a second and indicating she wants to talk.

Excusing myself, I stand and head for the exit, hearing KB's chair a little afterwards and her footsteps behind me. I wait and hold the door, leading the keeper into the room we relax in and sitting in a chair with KB opposite.

"What's up?".

"Somethings just bugging me" she replies.

"Go on" I say, thinking this is very unlike KB, "you said Lottie wasn't feeling well and that she'd be in late, but I'm unsure about the first part. You see, I went to hers last night because she was worried someone was in her house and wanted me as back up. When I arrived, everything was fine and she even joked, saying the person was there had a key, but she wasn't expecting anyone..." KB explains.

"I think you know who it was and there's more to this than meets the eye. Charlotte was very suspicious last night and you're being funny now" she adds.

I sigh.

"The person in her house... it was Lucy".

KB smiles, "what Bronzey? I didn't think she was back for Christmas yet".

"She only got back yesterday and went to see Lottie but ended up freaking her out instead" I explain, "the reason I went round was because Lucy was going to surprise Kei after, but Lottie had told her something was upset".

"Why? What happened?" the keeper asks worried, "well, it was almost fate that Lottie and Lucy Staniforth had that altercation, with Stan being Lucy's childhood best mate and all that" I say. "Lottie told Lucy what Stan had said to her, something about seeing the pain left by a former partner, i.e. Lottie when we're on camp, despite her being with Keira. Apparently she's always been suspicious of Charlotte and that's why she told her what she did" I explain.

"She was distraught and Lucy ring me to sit with Lottie while she went to Kei's as planned".

KB nods, almost like she's connecting the dots.

"I think there's still more though. If Stan has always disliked Charlotte for getting together with Lucy then maybe..." I trail off, "you're saying because Stan spent so much time around them, she's caught feelings?" the keeper interrupts, "more likely jealousy and what feels like a betrayal perhaps" I suggest.

"But surely there's only one answer".

"I think it's Lottie"

*