Page 102 of Doc Defence

Hel walked into the local cinema that was hosting the team for a special viewing of the documentary. She had barely made it in the door before Rocky swept her off her feet and gave her a giant bear hug.

“Put her down, big man.” Abbey tugged on his elbow, rolling her eyes at his antics.

“Sorry.” Rocky released Hel. “It’s good to see you.”

Hel replied dryly, “You missed me?”

“We did. We missed you all!” Abbey supplied.

“How’s Darwin going?” Hel asked. They had moved in January for Abbey to start her dental degree.

“It’s so hot!” Rocky moaned.

“He found the ice rink on the first day.” Abbey rolled her eyes and grinned up at her giant boyfriend.

“It’s the only place there that’s cool,” Rocky complained.

“He goes skating in shorts and a T-shirt. The people who work there were pretty upset with him the first time he went, saying he had to wear long pants and sleeves.” Abbey giggled.

“Until I skated circles around them, and they left me alone. I go after work every day to cool down, and I’m going to play for the Darwin Dingoes this season.”

“That’s great. I’m glad you guys are settling in.” Hel patted Rocky’s arm. She liked the young couple, they were so lovely and so right together.

“If I knew you were going to feel me up Hel, I would have flexed.” Rocky lifted his arm and flexed his—Hel had to admit—rather impressive biceps.

Abbey rolled her eyes at him again. “Come on, big man, stop making Hel uncomfortable.” She took hold of his hand and dragged him off. Calling over her shoulder, “See you later.”

Hel laughed and waved at them. It was entertaining to watch a six-foot-five giant be dragged along by his five-foot-two girlfriend.

Coach Morgan called out to the crowd of them milling around in the foyer. “Okay, everyone. Follow me!”

They all obediently followed him into one of the screens, and there was a bit of shuffling and kerfuffle as they all took their seats. Coach Morgan moved some of the taller players to the back as they were blocking the view of the partners who weren’t very tall.

Aiden and Claudia came running into the cinema. “Sorry Coach, the babysitter was late.”

“Just sit down,” Coach Morgan grumbled. “Not at the front,” he yelled at Aiden, who froze when he was halfway sitting in a seat on the front row. “You’re too tall. Get to the back.”

Hel giggled more as she watched Coach direct another shuffle of the cinema so everyone sat next to their partners and could also see.

She looked sadly at the vacant seat next to her. She would have liked to sit next to someone, but even the players who had come alone had chosen not to sit by her. Taking a surreptitious sniff, she made sure she didn’t smell. Nope, fresh as a daisy and smelling great, if she did say so herself. When she bought her new dress, she had also treated herself to a new perfume.

“Aiden. I swear if you get up again, I’m going to tie you to the chair,” Coach Morgan snapped into the microphone he held.

“Can I get popcorn?” Aiden called back.

“No.”

“But—“ Aiden tried and was interrupted by the Coach.

“They’re going to deliver popcorn to us in a few minutes. If you arrived on time, you would have known this. Now sit down.” Coach Morgan glared at him, and Aiden lowered himself back into his seat.

Hel put her hand over her mouth to control her laughter as she was sure Coach Morgan muttered ‘children’ as he lowered the microphone. She could see he was breathing deeply and his eyes were raised to the ceiling, clearly trying to control his temper.

When everyone settled down, he lifted the microphone up to his lips again.

“First of all, I wanted to say g’day to all the Burra Wombats I see here tonight. Some of you have retired, and some of you are yet to play for us, but you are all Wombat’s in my eyes. And it’s so wonderful to see the special women and men in their lives who support them while they play.”

Hel’s eyebrows raised a little. Coach Morgan was old and pretty gruff, she hadn’t expected him to be so open and progressive. Well, you learned something new every day.

---