Chapter 2
TWO
UDO
The footpath snaked around a small hill before the view opened up to the whole valley. Udo stopped jogging and leant against a dry-stone wall. The sun was high and sweat soaked his top.
As he let his body temperature regulate, he took in the landscape. The town of Brockton lay at the bottom with the River Brock winding through. Udo hadn’t had much chance to get to know the place. His life seemed to consist of training, playing and resting. Then rinse and repeat.
His mind wandered to the day before. Ever since he’d joined Brockton, he’d been wary of Shaun. He was popular with the lads and regularly ran his mouth off. Udo had met players like that before. Would-be alpha males were ten-a-penny in soccer.
In the distance lay Brockton Park, the stadium where they played their home games. The green pitch seemed to be mocking him for his performance for the team. It wasn’t good. They’d paid an absolute fortune for him in the January transfer window.
His calves were seizing up. Udo walked slowly along the path, taking a huge swig from the water bottle he’d brought with him.
When his new agent, Rob Baron, had floated the idea of playing for Brockton to him, Udo had been desperate for a change. He didn’t like to swap mid-season. He’d had no choice. He shuddered when he thought about staying with Chelsea.
His phone rang. Mercifully interrupting his reflection.
He got it out of his backpack. His mother’s face filled the ID display. He would have to put a brave face on things. There was no sense in worrying her.
Udo swiped the screen.
“Hi, Mum.”
“Hallo Schatzi.”
“In English, please. It’s easier if I stick to one language.”
“Sorry, darling. I keep forgetting. How are you?”
Udo sighed. Hearing his mother’s voice made his resolve crumble.
“Did you watch the game?” he asked.
“Of course. What happened?”
A bird flew across the sky. Udo tracked it as he tried to come up with an answer.
“I don’t know. I took too long.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
He did but not in the middle of a public footpath. The idea that someone would get a photo of him blubbering was too much to bear.
“I’ll call you when I get home. I’m out on a run at the moment.”
“Okay, darling.”
He terminated the call and put the phone away. With one final glanced at Brockton Park, he set off the way he’d just run. This time he ran faster. Almost as if his insecurities were chasing him. He craved the detachment of simply running. He needed that peace.
His rented house had once been an old farm. The owners had lovingly converted the outbuildings into an office, gym and home cinema. The rambling house boasted four bedrooms and a massive lounge. Far too much for him on his own.
The long drive leading up to the house had appealed to Udo the most. He had to have proper privacy. Something he valued above anything else.
After a quick shower, he flopped down on the sofa and called his mother back. She answered almost immediately. It had always been the two of them since Udo’s father had done a disappearing act before he’d even been born.
“Darling,” she said.
“Hi,” he replied. “Are you okay?”
“I’m worried about you.”
Udo screwed his eyes tightly shut.
You’re in your mid-thirties and have weathered worse storms than this. Get it together.
He hated upsetting his mother and would go to any lengths to avoid it.
“I’m fine,” he said, forcing a smile on his face. “I don’t know why I’m not gelling here.”
Her face grew dark. “I think you do.”
“Let’s not go into that again.”
“Maybe if you told somebody at the club, they would understand.”
“No,” he said firmly. “This is a new beginning for me. I’ve got a new team and a new agent. I don’t even want to think about it.”
She nodded. “Okay. I thought it might help.”
“Steven Cox has offered to spend time with me, just the two of us,” he replied. “To talk tactics apparently.”
“That’s good news. Isn’t it?”
Udo wasn’t sure. He’d never had to do this before.
“God knows what they’re saying behind my back. If they get rid of me this summer, I’ll look a total bloody fool.”
“I know you don’t like to think about this,” she continued, “But there’s a whole world outside of kicking that ball.”
His mother obsessed about what he would do after retirement. Udo didn’t want to think about that yet. Why should he?
“I had a great season last year despite everything. It’s not time.”
“I understand. It can’t hurt to talk to your agent. He might have some suggestions.”
Udo laughed bitterly. “The days when I give agents too much access into my life are over.”
“Then talk to Steven. He’s done wonders since he retired. I read his Wikipedia page. Very impressive.”
Udo had also spent time researching Steven. Maybe too much time.
“Fine. I’ll ask his advice. If only to take that worry off your face.”
“Darling, my doctor does that with those magic injections. Besides, I’m your mother, I’ll never stop worrying. How is your new agent? Bob…?”
Udo glanced out of the window. Two birds were squabbling on the front lawn over something. He watched them for a second. They finished their spat and flew off in different directions.
“Rob Baron. We’ve only done Zoom calls. I’m meeting him properly this afternoon. He’s driving up from London for lunch. There’s some new sponsorship interest. Mind you, after yesterday they’ve probably changed their minds.”
“Nonsense. This is temporary. Udo Holtmann doesn’t stay down.”
Later that day, Udo headed into a country pub to meet Rob Baron.
The day might be warm outside, but the cosy indoors still appealed.
Udo loved these quintessentially British institutions with their quirky décor.
This was no exception. Brass ornaments jostled for prominence with various paintings of sheep.
The best bit was the aroma of a proper Sunday roast. Udo’s mouth watered. A treat once in a while was allowed.
A few locals were chatting at tables. One or two gave him a hard stare as he walked in. He supposed they were as frustrated with his performance as he was.
Rob sat by the window. He looked a little out of place with his gold jewellery, slicked-back hair and cockney accent. Udo could imagine he was a hit with the ladies back in London. He’d dressed to impress in a Ralph Lauren shirt and jeans.
“Hi Rob,” Udo said, taking the seat opposite him.
“This is a bit different to Chelsea,” he said. He reached across the table and shook Udo’s hand.
Udo smiled. “Just a little. I like it though. It’s more real up here.”
“It’s great to finally meet you,” Rob replied. “Zoom calls and emails are all well and good but I’m old-fashioned. I like to get to know my clients.”
Does he know or not?
They hadn’t mentioned anything in their previous communications about why Udo had left Chelsea. Still, gossip travelled fast. Rob wouldn’t be very good at his job if he hadn’t uncovered the truth.
“Good news. There are some offers from companies interested in that handsome face of yours. They’re more local to this area. Even so, the money is good.”
Udo had advertised plenty of things in his career. Football boots. Deodorant. Video games. Once he’d even done a campaign encouraging children to read.
“That’s great,” Udo replied. “I didn’t think anyone would be interested after I left Chelsea.”
Rob took a large swig from his pint of lager. “I’m not going to lie to you. You’re going to have to score a goal or two if you want to keep them on the hook.”
Udo dropped his head.
“I know,” he replied, quietly. “I’m working on it. I’ve not really settled that well. Steven Cox is going to give me some coaching.”
“Yes, I heard he was working at Brockton now. Amazing footballer in his day.”
“Absolutely. I’ve been watching some old YouTube videos of him. He was incredible. I’m very lucky. If he can’t help, then no one can. He’s really good with the team.”
He stopped when he saw Rob watching him carefully.
“What?”
Rob glanced around and leant forward. “I know what happened,” he said.
“Now—”
“Hold your horses,” he continued. “It was fucking disgusting. I will guarantee you here and now that I will be straight down the line with you.”
Udo relaxed.
“In keeping with that, let’s be real,” Rob said. “You have two, maybe three years left at this level. Then you either slowly sink or go out in a blaze of glory. I personally would recommend the latter but that’s up to you. One thing I will say is, we don’t need a repeat of Chelsea.”
Udo shifted in his seat. What had Rob heard exactly?
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Keep a lid on…other things. For the short-term. I’ll make you enough money that you’ll never have to work again.”
Udo frowned. “I’m hardly poor.”
“Retirement before forty means you need a big pension pot. You’ll never make this kind of money again. Let’s focus on that. Anything else is not worth the trouble.”
It smarted that this was the truth. Udo had no intention of rocking the boat again.
“Believe me, history will not be repeating itself.”
Every fibre of him wanted to rail against the unfairness of it all. But the realist inside knew what Rob said was true. Udo had sailed far too close to the edge in the past to risk it all again.
He could put that side of his life to one side for a few years. He’d been too close to exposure. All he had to do was focus on his game and stop outside interference.
Not a problem.