Chapter 11
ELEVEN
NOAH
Noah had never liked midweek matches. Mainly because they were held in the evening. He found playing in the dark disconcerting. Also, the crowd were more subdued. Days at work and rushed meals ruined an atmosphere.
Add to the mix that snow was threatened and Noah was not in the mood. So he luxuriated in the last moments in the warm locker room before going out to do battle on the frosty pitch.
“Cheer up,” Adam said. “At least we’re at home.”
“Yeah,” Noah replied. “I’ll be in bed for eleven.”
“That reminds me, how is Carmine?” Ewen shouted across.
A ripple of amusement went round the lads.
“He’s very well, thanks. How’s your cat?”
This sent the team into uproar. Ewen shook his head.
“Good return, kiddo.”
“We christened my new house,” Noah said, chuckling.
“It’s not built yet,” Goran said. “It’s bloody cold for alfresco.”
Noah laughed. “Carmine hired a Jeep.”
“Nice,” Adam said. “I hope he doesn’t offer that to all his clients. He’ll be knackered.”
Noah gently shoved him. “I’m special.”
Adam chucked him under the chin. “Yes, petal. You are.”
“Thing is, I need to return the favour now. I don’t want to go all flash.”
“Why are you so tight-fisted?” Colin asked.
“Colin!” Adam shouted.
“Sorry. It’s true.”
“I don’t need to splash the cash to keep my lovers happy.”
Midway through the sentence, Meg, the club physiotherapist and Colin’s girlfriend, came in. She folded her arms.
“It isn’t the size of Colin’s wallet that I’m interested in.”
Colin blushed as they all cackled. Noah felt ashamed.
“You’re right and I didn’t mean it,” he said. “I’m sorry, Colin.”
“It’s okay. I shouldn’t have said about you being a skinflint.”
“Will you stop?” Adam cut in.
“Shit,” Colin said. “Sorry.”
Javier came through the doors, closely followed by Stephen.
“Meg. Out.”
She scuttled off to the dugout. Hopefully she wouldn’t be needed.
“Right,” he said. “A win or draw would be amazing but don’t go all out. It’s fucking freezing out there and I can’t afford any of you to get injured.”
Adam frowned. “Is that supposed to fire us up?”
“I’m being serious,” Javier replied. “If we keep our midtable spot, we’ll be fine. I want to consolidate for the cup. I need you all on top form.”
He had an unusually honest approach for a manager. Most of the men Noah had played for wanted success at all costs. This was another example of Javier Tosar’s unconventional management style.
Noah glanced at Tito.
The guy had a need to win in his DNA. Whether on the PlayStation or on the pitch. Tito winked back.
Noah braced himself.
Time to shine.
They won the game thanks to two goals from Tito. Noah slept alone that night, despite what his teammates said. He wanted a long lie-in. He’d been reading a book about the power of rest.
The next afternoon he returned to his plot of land. This time to meet the contractor building the place. He smiled to himself as he glanced over to the spot where Carmine had parked up.
Carmine had offered to come with him but Noah had politely declined. He wanted to do this for himself completely. There would be so much more to be proud of when he was in his home.
Ben came out of a small cabin which served as a site office. He beamed when he saw Noah. When they’d first met, Ben had made it clear he was a fan.
“Hey, Ben,” Noah said, shaking his hand.
“All right, Noah. Excited?”
This week they’d finished the foundations. They had a long way to go but now he’d be able to visualise the rooms.
Ben led him over.
“You can’t stand on it yet,” Ben said. “Come up on this hill here.”
The garden sloped upward, giving them a perfect view of the site.
Noah stood and took it all in.
It’s perfect.
“I have to say, the plans are amazing,” Ben said. “So easy to work with.”
Noah grinned. “I’ll pass that on.”
This was going to be such a sanctuary. Noah had never had that before. He could see him and Malcolm having a kickabout once the lawn was laid. He might even host Christmas for everyone.
“When will it be ready?”
“I think you can be in by next winter,” Ben said.
He must’ve seen Noah’s face drop.
“Including soft furnishings and everything. The build will be done by the summer. It’s pretty simple. You might not get the landscaping done until next year.”
Malcolm would have to wait a little longer for that game on the lawn. Although, the minute Malcolm arrived, he would be pestering to go to Newby Park. He’d done the same at Noah’s other clubs. Why have one Premier League footballer when you can have twenty-five?
“Ignore me,” he said. “I’m impatient.”
“We’ll do our best for you.”
Noah nodded. “I know you will. Thank you.”
They came down to the car park. Noah really had to concentrate not to fall on his arse. The ground was wet and he was wearing his favourite old trainers with hardly any grip.
Rookie error.
He reached the bottom with his dignity intact.
“Good to see you again,” he said, shaking Ben’s hand.
As he walked to his car, he had a spring in his step. He’d never been a boss before. It was quite nice. Perhaps when he started this charity he could have proper input. It would be amazing to have something of his own outside of football.
He fired up the Range Rover and backed onto the lane. It wouldn’t be long before he was doing this every day. Except he had insisted on a circular drive to avoid reversing every time.
Once on his way he connected a call to Carmine.
“Hey,” Carmine said.
“Are you busy?”
“Nah,” he replied. “Doing some practice sketches for the new restaurant. If this is an olive branch, I should at least give it a go.”
“Proud of you.”
“I’m blushing. What are you up to?”
The woods cleared and Noah found himself on moorland. It was like being on top of the world. Huge turbines lay ahead, giving the scene a sci-fi twist. A lot of people hated them. Noah didn’t.
“Are you there?”
“Sorry,” he replied. “I’ve just come from the site. I think I went the wrong way.”
“There’s only one road. You can’t have.”
“I should’ve gone left instead of right. I’m on the moors now.”
“Get the sat nav onto it. How was the site?”
Noah drove onward. The turbines surrounded him now.
“It’s going to be amazing. I could really make out the rooms and everything.”
“I’m so pleased for you.”
He saw a lay-by up ahead. Noah turned into it and stopped the car.
“Are you free Saturday night?” Noah asked.
“I can be. Why?”
“Come for dinner. I’ll invite some of the lads.”
“Really?”
“Of course. They like you.”
“Won’t you be tired after playing? Especially with last night.”
Noah’s rest schedule might take a slight hit. He’d catch up. Besides the lads were always teasing him for being boring.
“I’ll get caterers.”
“I know. I’ll ask Raoul to sort it. Please let me.”
His initial instinct was to assert his independence. It was the genuine need in Carmine’s voice that made his defences fall to the ground.
“That would be amazing,” he said. “If we’re doing that, please order double of the meatballs. Steven drools over them.”
“On it.”
They terminated the call. Noah got out of the car. There was total silence except the low thrum of the turbines. They dwarfed him as he walked up to a gate and rested on it.
Everything was going perfectly. So much so that it terrified him that something would go wrong. He tried to banish those thoughts from his mind. He’d suffered enough bad times in his life to be deserving of this happiness.
A tear fell from his eye and was swept away on the wind. If only his parents had lived to see a fraction of what he’d experienced. He could understand why Carmine was hesitant to change his relationship with his family. Yet it annoyed Noah a little. What he wouldn’t give to have the opportunity.
It’s none of my business. He has to do it when he’s ready.