Page 42 of Lord of the Lock

“And that’s all part of being a leader. Anyway, you know we had times where we couldn’t field a whole team back when you were a player. It’s a cycle that goes on and on.”

I sat down in the chair opposite him and ran a hand through my hair. I’d always kept it cropped short, army style, but I’d gone few weeks without a cut and it was proving very useful to grab when I was stressed. “I know, Rhod. I just want to make this team a success. I can’t fuck anything else up.”

“Still not talking to your young man then? I heard from a couple of the players that you seemed very cosy at the open training session.”

I could feel my ears heating. “No, no, we’re fine…well, there is this one thing. He’s meeting his ex today.”

“And you’re worried they could rekindle something?”

“God, no. I’m worried he’ll get hurt. And Nathan deserves not to be hurt. He deserves everything.”

“I really need to meet this young man of yours. Did you apologise for your stupidly timed proposal?” Rhod smiled.

“He…agreed,” I said.

“Well, isn’t that romantic?” Rhod laughed.

There was a knock at the office door, and Ben stuck his head through. “Coach…uh…coaches, there are only eighteen of us in there, and I really don’t know what we’re gonna do.”

“We’ll be with you in just a moment,” Rhod said. Ben nodded and left. The door closed behind him. I had no idea how Rhod always managed other people so implicitly; like he could tell people to leave a room without ever using the words. Everyone respected Rhod.

“Remember…remember how I said I’d employed you as long as you were a good influence to the lads?” Rhod asked. I nodded. “I need you to completely fucking disregard what I said.”

“What?” I asked.

“When you were seventeen years old and we only had fifteen players up to play, that changing room was like a graveyard. The boys would think they were about to lose no matter how well they played. And there was one cocky big bastard who knew how to get everyone’s mood up.” Rhod pointed at me. “You’d say something stupid or pull out a bottle of some alcohol from God knows where, or sing a silly song, and the lads would just getenergised.Right now I need stupid Finn to go in there and get a smile on their faces. I’m going to go in there now, and I need you to follow me in. Whatever I’m saying, no matter how inspiring it sounds, I don’t care. Just do your thing.”

Rhod stood with a groan and clapped me on the shoulder before he left the office. I looked down at my phone as it buzzed.

Nathan: Best of luck today. I’ll try and make it down before the match starts. Pont is going to smash it x

Finn: Hope all goes OK 4 you today too. Let me know if you need anything, I’m here x

In all honesty I was more worried about Nathan meeting Lewis than I’d ever admit, but I’d promised him I would let him be a big boy and defend himself if he needed to. I just wished he hadn’t given that bastard the time of day.

I scrolled through Spotify for an inspiring song for the lads. I could go with a classic, likeEye of the Tiger, or something stupid likeI Wanna Dance With Somebodyto get smiles on those faces. But I had an old Welsh rugby playlist I always used to play to myself the day of a Cardiff or Wales match. I just hoped the boys of today still knew who Max Boyce was.

I got the song ready to play, jumped up and down a bit before pushing open the door open and interrupting Rhod’s speech at the same time I started the song playing.

“Dai works down the tower, in a pit called number four!” I shouted. Some of the boys looked very fucking confused, but Rhod’s grin could have split his face in half as I spoke along with Max Boyce’s live introduction to a legendary Welsh song. When I finally got to the chorus, more of the lads were smiling.

“Come on lads, fucking sing! “ I shouted.

“And we were singing, hymns and arias, land of my fathers, ar hyd y nos!”most of them joined in, some of the younger lads still looked a bit confused, but by the third chorus were on their feet and singing along too.

“I don’t care how many of us there are,” I shouted. “I don’t care what bastards they bring along. We are better, and bigger, and we can beat the shit out of Pandy on our worst day!”

The whole group of lads cheered. I checked my watch. “Right lads, let’s get out on the field and beat the shit out of those fuckers!”

22

Chapter Twenty-Two - Nathan

I was tapping my ring absentmindedly on the side of a mug in the local church cafe as I waited for Lewis. It was weird, having an engagement ring on my finger, and I found myself playing with it constantly. But I didn’t dislike it, not at all. And it was a good prop for the conversation I was ready to have today.

For a second, I let myself think about the man who’d given me the ring. And whether Finn’s first full game in charge as a coach would be the roaring success he deserved. Because he deserved so much better than he got.

I heard the tinkle of the bell above the door and looked up as Lewis walked in. I gave him a very deliberate wave with my left hand, and his eyes didn’t leave it as he walked towards me. It was like his eyes were glued to the ring on my finger.

---