Chapter 7
SEVEN
NOAH
It was a crisp January day. Noah sat in Ashley’s kitchen, nursing a mug of tea. He usually avoided dairy but all bets were off here. Ashley insisted on spoiling him when he visited.
Although he drew the line at the cake she had tried to force on him.
Ashley was busy ironing.
“So the house is going well,” Noah said. “The architect has some really cool ideas. Plus he thought some of mine were great too.”
Ashley raised an eyebrow.
“What’s he like?”
“Carmine? He’s great. He’s not long been in Manchester after being in L.A. He’s trying to build a brand-new reputation. Imagine how hard that is. I said it’s fine for him to use my name if it would help. Not that I think it will. You should hear some of the people he worked for in the States.”
Ashley stopped dead in her tracks.
“You’ve slept with him.”
What the fuck?
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
She placed the iron down and crept over to him. “You bloody have. Noah Farman, you’ve never been able to lie to me before and you certainly can’t now.”
Despite himself Noah shook his head.
“You missed your calling,” he said. “You’d have been the best interrogator in the world.”
She pulled up the chair next to him and stared intently. It appeared she wasn’t going to give up.
“Okay, I surrender,” he said, throwing his hands up. “Yes we’ve slept together.”
“Let’s have a look at him then. But keep it clean please.”
Noah rolled his eyes as he got his phone out. There was no point in refusing her. Deep down he was excited to show her anyway.
He pulled up a selfie they’d taken at the bowling alley.
“He’s gorgeous,” she said when he showed her the picture. “How old is he?”
“Here we go,” he replied, snatching the phone away. “He’s mid-thirties.”
Ashley frowned. “Noah. You’re twenty-four.”
“I am, yes. I remember.”
She got to her feet and held her hand out.
“We’re going for a walk.”
This was always her solution to a bump in the road. The house backed onto a park. Nothing fancy, just a local one. If he had a pound for every hour he’d spent kicking a ball around the rectangular grass pitch.
During teenage years he, Ellie and Alfie had all been dragged around the perimeter at some point or other. It had been the place he’d confided in her that he was gay. Of course, she had been totally supportive. This woman was a saint. Yet one with a steely edge that wouldn’t be ignored.
“Come on then,” she ordered.
They wrapped up against the elements and stepped out. So many teenage worries had been solved on this route.
Why shouldn’t it work now?
Once on the concrete pavement, he stuffed his hands in his pockets. Regressing ten years, ready to air his woes. Not that he had any where Carmine was concerned. Noah had never been happier.
“You’re inventing a problem where there isn’t one,” he said.
“It’s a big age difference, love. You have to admit that.”
“Of course I do. I’m saying I don’t care.”
She glanced at him. “Maybe not now while you’re in the first flush of it all. What about further down the road? You need to have things in common.”
He knew she meant well but it was way too early in the day to be having a conversation like this. He wasn’t even sure if he was in a relationship with Carmine. He was a man of the world. Perhaps he only wanted fun while he settled back into the UK.
“And you have your future with boring Gordon all mapped out, do you?”
He gave a shudder.
“I suppose I asked for that.”
Noah loved Ashley like a mother. She had been there for him during the worst and best times in his life. It touched him that she was worried and he really needed to convince her that Carmine was a decent addition to his life.
“I moved to Brockton to be myself,” Noah said. “This is the first time I’ve felt like this about anyone. Can’t you be happy for me?”
She took hold of his hand and squeezed it. “Of course I can. I worry, that’s all.”
“And I love you for it.”
They walked in silence until the inevitable happened. Two young girls came running over to them.
“Are you Noah Farman?”
He smiled and nodded.
“We think you’re amazing. Can we get a selfie?”
Noah dutifully complied. When things like that had first happened to him, he’d been embarrassed. Now it had become second nature.
“Thank you,” he said as they sped off, giggling.
Ashley had been watching him the whole time.
“You’re growing into a fine man,” she said. “I’m very proud of you.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll have to trust your judgement I suppose but for the record I think this is a problem.”
Noah drew her into a hug. “Noted. I guess I should declare that I’m going to ignore you. Sorry but I am.”
“Hmmm. This guy is very lucky. You tell him that from me,” she replied. “Come on, let’s get inside. It’s bloody freezing. Plus I’m making a roast dinner.”
“A roast dinner on a Tuesday?”
She linked his arm and cuddled him. “I’ve never shied away from living dangerously. You know that.”
“Why not?” Noah replied with a chuckle. “No carbs for me, please.”
Ashley sighed.
“Less of it,” Noah said. “I want to be my absolute best this season. I’ve a lot to prove. Besides, Malcolm’s relying on me.”
They retraced their steps toward Ashley’s house.
“How is he? I’ve not been to see him in ages,” Ashley said. “I messaged him the other week to see if he wanted to come dinner. He said he’d get back to me.”
Noah shuddered. Malcolm was picking up lingo from the office. Were they creating a monster?
“He’s great,” Noah replied. “We’re trying to arrange him coming to visit me. I can’t wait to show him the land I’ve bought. I’m calling in to watch him play tonight. Fancy coming with me?”
Some more people were staring over in their direction. Whilst Noah never had a problem with fans coming over, he was enjoying his time alone with Ashley. Instinctively they picked up the pace. Things weren’t always friendly. Especially since his move to Brockton.
“Oh I’d love it,” Ashley said. “I’ll get Gordon to pick me up on his way home from work. Saves you driving me.”
Noah could have lived without Gordon’s opinion on everything. Hopefully it would be kept to a minimum on this visit.
“I’ve nearly hit the target, you know,” Noah said.
“Really? That’s incredible. Now maybe you can live a little bit too.”
“I’m building a house,” he said. “And I’ve got a man. How much more living do you expect from me?”
Thankfully the conversation fell to more mundane things when they got to Ashley’s as the kids were home. They wanted to know about the club and if they were going to win the FA Cup.
Once he’d stuffed his face with Ashley’s roast dinner, Noah could quite happily have slept in the chair.
He’d lived on his own since he was twenty and had moved out.
Yet, sometimes he missed the madness of sharing a house with these people.
There was nowhere on earth he felt more relaxed than in this house.
He’d even allowed himself to be persuaded to have a couple of roast potatoes. They looked too good to refuse.
Going out into the cold evening to watch football wasn’t that appealing to most people. Noah wouldn’t be anywhere else. Besides, training at Brockton was getting him used to being out in the rain.
He and Ashley got to the ground in time for kick-off. Seeing his brother’s face light up when he spotted him always made Noah’s heart soar. He and Ashley waved madly before taking a seat.
“He looks fired up,” Noah said, rubbing his hands.
“That’s because you’re here.”
Noah grinned. “I miss him you know.”
Ashley squeezed his leg. “Of course you do but he’s thriving. He looks like a different guy since he moved to Spruce Court. Be proud of yourself instead of worrying. Malcolm is lucky to have you.”
Now that Noah was sorting his own place, his natural instinct was to have Malcolm living with him. But Ashley was right. He was doing so well it would be wrong to change all that. Noah would be doing it for himself instead of Malcolm.
They cheered loudly as Malcolm’s team won by two goals. One being scored by the man himself. Noah couldn’t be prouder. As soon as the whistle went, Malcolm ran into his arms like a rocket.
“Brilliant goal, mate,” Noah said, kissing the top of his head.
“Did you see it, Ashley?” Malcolm asked.
“Of course I did,” she said. “You were amazing.”
They walked toward the changing rooms.
“We’re going for burgers after,” Malcolm said. “Can you come?”
“Not this time, buddy,” Noah replied. “I need to get on the road. I’ve got training tomorrow. I’ll need to practice how you crossed that ball. I’m stealing it.”
Malcolm laughed. “It’s yours. Will you come again soon?”
“Of course I will. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Malcolm gave him another bear hug before heading off to the showers.
Malcolm’s coach was standing outside the building talking to someone. He seemed stressed out.
“What do you think’s going on over there?” Noah asked, frowning.
“Nothing that is our business. Now how about we wait for Gordon in your fancy and very warm Range Rover.”
Noah couldn’t take his eyes off Coach Brooks. He shook his head as his companion left him.
“Leave it,” Ashley warned.
“I can’t.”
Noah walked over.
“Is everything okay, Coach Brooks?”
“Ah, Noah,” the older man replied. “Malcolm played very well today. It must run in the family.”
He was relatively new to the team and Malcolm loved him.
“Everything okay?” Noah repeated.
Coach Brooks sighed. He looked genuinely upset about something.
“The league is struggling,” he explained. “Nothing to concern you with.”
“Struggling?”
The poor man looked embarrassed. “Things are tough out there. We’ve lost a few sponsors.”
Now Noah was the one worried. Malcolm lived for his football.
“Enough to be a threat?”
The coach nodded.
“Send me the figures,” Noah said, decisively.
“You’re far too busy,” Coach Brooks said. “I couldn’t possibly—”
“Please,” Noah interjected. “You have my emergency contact details. Use those.”
“If you’re sure. Any help would be wonderful.”
Noah nodded and returned to Ashley.
“Well?”