Chapter 59
Chapter fifty-nine
Imogen ran off the pitch, grinning from ear to ear. “Did you see that?” she said, coming to a halt and throwing her arms around Billy. “I was playing with Nora Brady and Sammy-Jo Costa!”
“Yeah, I saw.” Billy smiled like the proudest parent on the planet. She only knew who the two players were because they’d met on Sunday, but it didn’t matter. Imogen was stoked, and that was worth everything. “So, you coming back?”
Imogen shrugged, a small frown appearing. “Dunno…they said they’d be in touch in a few days.”
“I guess they’ll want to discuss what they saw. Were you the only newbie?”
“No, there were three of us. I feel good about it, though. I played well. Did everything they asked, and then a bit more.”
“So much like your mother.” Billy laughed.
“Which one?” Imogen grinned back. “I’ve two very resilient women to look up to.”
The words hit Billy in a way she hadn’t expected, her throat choking with emotion.
“Mum says I shouldn’t call you Billy anymore. I kind of like it, but I get it…you’re my mum too.”
Wiping away the tear that threatened to fall, Billy finally found her voice. “I think I’m good with you calling me whatever you want to, as long as you know I’m your mum.”
Imogen laughed. “I’ve always known that. Mum was very clear about the fact that I had two mums.” She shrugged again. “I guess I just followed Mum’s lead, and when she called you Billy, I went with it.”
Someone shouted Imogen’s name and she turned and waved. “I’d better go get changed.”
“Alright, I’ll wait right here.”
“Can we get pizza on the way home?”
“I think your mum’s probably cooked.”
“Yeah, true. She won’t mind, just call and tell her.” She made a pouty face and then sprinted away.
Billy pulled her phone free and rang Rosa.
“Hello? What’s wrong?” Rosa said.
“Nothing. Our daughter wants pizza and I’m calling to see if you’ve already cooked.”
“Of course I’ve cooked,” Rosa answered. “Why does she want pizza?”
“I’ve no idea. Maybe she’s just excited. So, I was thinking, shall I bring her home, or pick you up and we can all have pizza and celebrate with her?”
Rosa sighed. “I guess I can freeze this. Are you indulging her again?”
Billy chuckled. “I’m asking you, not deciding for us. So no, I’m not indulging her…I’d quite like to spend more time with you both.”
“I don’t know, I wasn’t expecting to—”
“What did you cook?”
“Mac and cheese.”
“God, I love that. With the little bacon bits?”
“Of course,” Rosa said, her voice now sounding lighter and more upbeat. “I even made garlic bread.”
“With cheese?” Billy’s mouth was watering.
“Yes, it would have been.” Rosa went quiet for a moment. “Do you want to eat with us?”
“Are you inviting me to?”
“Are you going for pizza?” Rosa threw back.
“Not if you’re inviting me to eat with you.”
Rosa chuckled. “Do you think you can manage disappointing your daughter?”
“Uh huh, I think for a bowl of your mac and cheese I could, yes.” She laughed. “I want to see you.”
“I want to see you too.”
Billy caught sight of someone looking at her and wandering over in her direction.
“I have to go—I think one of the coaches wants a word.”
“Put me on speaker.”
“Hi, Imogen’s mum?” the woman asked, a hint of an accent in her words. “I’m Katrine. I’m head coach for the women’s first team.” She held out a hand. “I just wanted to say that I think Imogen has a huge future ahead of her, you should be proud.”
“Oh, we are.” Rosa’s voice came from the phone, and Katrine looked around trying to find its origin.
“Immy’s other mum is on speaker,” Billy explained, holding it up. “So, you think she has what it takes?”
“If she applies herself, focuses on what she needs to, trains hard…she has a chance to succeed. But it’s not down to me—the youth team coaches will make their decision. Either way, she should keep playing.”
“Thanks, we’ll tell her,” Billy said as Katrine held a hand up and walked away. “Did you hear that?”
“Yes,” Rosa said. “Our girl has potential, but we knew that already. How long before you’ll be home?”
Billy paused at that. Home. How different that one word sounded to her now.
“As soon as she’s changed and back out again. Probably thirty minutes or so.”
“I’ll have dinner on the table.”