Page 56 of Playing for Keeps
“It’s…well, it’s Steven Cox.”
There was silence on the line.
“Mom?”
“I’m here. Is that really a good idea, darling? Why don’t you find anyone not associated with the club?”
“It isn’t like London round here,” he explained.
“I’ll say,” she replied. “Oh, Udo, after what happened last time, I would have expected you to be more careful.”
Udo glanced at his watch. They were playing away at Canonbury and he needed to meet the others at the team coach.
“It’s completely different.”
“Are you sure?”
“Can you have some faith me?”
She sighed. “I suppose. Keep your wits about you, though. I don’t trust anyone in football. Not anymore.”
It meant the world that she had his back. No matter what.
“Thank you, Mom. I’d better go.”
“Wait. Before you go, let me ask you one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Are you happy?”
“Very much.”
“Then be careful.”
“I will. Bye.”
He terminated the call. Could he really be that careful? Steven already suspected that Javier was onto them. One gust of wind and their house of cards would fall.
Then what?
Udo sped down the country lane. It was dusk and he couldn’t wipe the smile from his face. The radio blared out the sports report.
“So, Mike,” the presenter said. “Who is your vote for goal of the day?”
“Well, Brian, for the second week running, it’s got to be Udo Holtmann. That winner he scored against Canonbury might be goal of the year.”
“I agree. I think we can be forgiven for saying he had a shaky start at Brockton.”
“Too true. Now he’s flying.”
Udo switched it off. The trees surrounded him again. It was the spot where he’d made the call to Steven that had changed everything. Quick as a flash, he pulled over and got out. The relief of proving to everyone that he wasn’t a one-hit wonder overwhelmed him. He leant against the car for a second to gather himself.
He hadn’t fully realised how stressed and upset he’d been. He supposed it took things getting better for his body to even acknowledge it.
“Everything’s okay. It’s fine.”
He wandered over to the fence. The sheep from before were nowhere to be seen. He repeated his mantra a few times. Forcing his body to relax.
