Page 40 of Matched Up

‘She’s from Liverpool too then?Does she live here?’

‘Yeah, she moved over when … when I was wee.’

‘That must be nice.Your dad couldn’t come to the match?’I asked, reaching over to touch his hand that was resting beside his plate.

‘Nah, couldn’t make it.But, you know, my dad had a trial for Liverpool when he was nineteen.’

‘What the hell?’I let go of his hand and turned round so I was facing him properly.‘Are you serious?’

He laughed.‘Yeah, he was an amazing footballer.Didn’t get there in the end, but I’ve always been so impressed.He’s brilliant, my dad.’

‘And that’s obviously where you got your talent.Oh my God, Shane, I’d be shouting that from the rooftops if I were you.So cool.What does he do now?’

Shane swallowed some risotto and took a drink of the Coke I’d left out.‘Ah, loads of stuff.What doesyourdad do again?’he asked, gazing around the kitchen.

‘I don’t actually know, you know.Some tech thing.’I hoped he wouldn’t ask any more questions and we could go back to talking about his dad.

‘So did your dad teach you everything you know?’

‘I guess he did.’

‘Can I meet him sometime?’

Shane looked at me, a flash of panic taking over his face.

I put my hand over my mouth.‘Oh Jesus, I didn’t mean it like that.It’s too soon.It’s just the Liverpool trial thing is unbelievable.’

‘I’m sure he’d love to meet you,’ he said, then got up and opened another box that he’d brought.‘Dessert?’

The chocolate pudding was amazing, the perfect balance ofsweet and chocolatey.‘Where did you learn to cook?’I asked.‘Wait, don’t tell me, your dad too?’

He laughed.‘I guess you could say that, yeah.’

‘I’m sorry, Shane, but you’ve told me too much, I’m running away with your dad.’

He laughed.‘Will you show me the beach?The one you talked about the other night on the phone?’Shane looked at me, his blue eyes twinkling in the candlelight.

‘Of course,’ I said softly.I found his hand and twisted my fingers into his.‘I’m so glad you came to Westing.’

‘Me too.’

As soon as we walked out the back door, Shane saw the football pitch.

‘Are you serious?’He looked at me, open-mouthed.

‘Yeah, they built it for me and Niall so we could practise,’ I said, feeling stupid.

‘Are those actual floodlights?’

‘Maybe,’ I said and pulled him in the other direction, down the garden and towards the beach.

The wind was strong, and the waves curled into wild peaks before collapsing with a hiss to the shore.

‘This is so cool,’ he said, helping me balance on the rocks.

‘Me and Niall used to come down here and make boats from all the rubbish that had washed up.’I smiled at the memory.

‘That sounds fun,’ he said.‘My dad would love it here.’He stopped and I leaned into his side.We both looked up at the moon.‘He had depression a couple of years ago.It was really tough, on everyone, but eventually he came out of it.Mumsays it was the sea air that fixed him, but I think it was just a coincidence that we’d gone up the coast and it was the first time we’d seen him smile in a really long time.But anyway, he loves the sea.’

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