Page 69 of Couple Goals

Coach is standing before them, already looking more tired than when she joined a mere few weeks ago.

‘Team, I want to start today’s talk by saying that I know that the last few weeks haven’t been easy for many of you. You were in a position of a lot of stability, and then there was a lot of sudden and dramatic change. New ownership, new coach, new leadership. I’m proud of how you’ve responded so far with two wins out of two. Congratulations.’

Kira leads a ripple of applause, acknowledging their perfect start to the season at home.

‘Today, it’s our first away game and we play the most competitive team in the league,’ Coach continues. ‘Swans are the top of the table on goal difference.This is when we need to pull the stops out and raise our level.’

‘Maeve was our captain in pre-season, Kira for the first two games but I’m going to rotate again while I’m still getting to know you. My choices seem to have caused some confusion, so I have also made some consultations this time.’

Adriana frowns, looking round the room confused at where this is going and who exactly has been consulted. Not her, that’s for sure.

Hoffman turns to Maeve who is standing to attention and Kira, whose arms are folded just as tightly.

‘Maeve,’ says Coach. ‘I’ve heard that your conduct helped you to win that competitive match last season when you played the Swans. Your calming presence is valued on the pitch. But I’m still unsure it’s what the team need for this season more broadly. This is why, I have decided to name you as our vice-captain.’

Adriana watches her old friend’s face go pale. Maeve bows her head. Adriana hopes she can find a way to be proud – it shows she’s proved something to Coach in the way she’s trained this week, since Coach took her aside. Although Adriana is dreading how the team will cope with Kira as captain again, especially working with Maeve as vice, when as far as Adriana has seen, the two still avoid speaking to each other entirely.

Adriana is so busy watching Kira and Maeve trying to understand what their concerned frowns mean, that she barely hears Coach’s next words.

‘I am therefore very pleased to announce that my choice for our team’s captain, for today at least … is Adriana Summers.’

A ripple goes round the room. Charlie and Elisa, standing next to Adriana, clap her on the back.

‘Hey! Congratulations!’ they say quickly in unison, their smiles broad.

But instead of happiness, Adriana’s body just floods with cold, frozen, terror.

Maeve’s eyes are on her, betrayed. Maeve must think that this is why Adriana has been off with her – that Adriana has been waiting for a chance to come up and steal the captaincy from her all along. Kira is frowning, looking at both her then Maeve, fury building.

All Adriana can think is, ‘I didn’t ask for this!’

Okay, sure, if someone had ever asked her if she wanted to be captain – like Jacob had a few days ago, funnily enough – she would have said, in theory, sure. But being club captain isMaeve’sdream. Had always been her dream. And it was more important for Adriana to help her friends than to be too big for her own boots. She was there to be a team player.

She remembered how Jacob had replied that’s probably exactly what would make her a good captain.

Adriana’s stomach does a strange somersault.

Could Jacob have had something to do with this?

‘I– I–’

Adriana knows she should be thanking Hoffman, or formally accepting the position. But it’s all so strange, so unexpected, not something she’s ever lobbied for, that Adriana can barely force a confused smile, while her other teammates clap her on the back.

Before she can even really understand what’s happening, the referee knocks on the dressing room door. It’s time to get out on the pitch.

In the tunnel, as the team line up, stretching and jogging on the spot, Adriana takes her usual place in line, only for Nat to nudge her affectionately.

‘Addy,’ Nat beams. ‘You’re not with us in the middle anymore – Captain goes up front!’

Adriana thinks her team are trying to be kind, pushing her up to the front, but she feels like their hands are buffeting her, pushing her up to where she believes Maeve should be standing.

Adriana can barely meet her friend’s eye. When she glances at her, Maeve is staring at Adriana’s captain armband, loose in Adriana’s hand. The one she was wearing herself so recently. Her face is impassive.

Adriana can’t thank her, her stomach churning so much she worries she might throw up.

‘Is this what you wanted?’ Maeve whispers. ‘You and Jacob?’

Adriana opens her mouth to reply, but her throat is tight, her breathing shallow. Maeve walks away, to the back of the line. Kira watches her pass, then looks back to where Adriana is now stood, reluctantly sliding the captain armband on. Adriana is used to being in the spotlight as the team’s joker, not its leader.

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