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She marched into her lounge, ignoring the way her body lit up at Sloane’s words. Focusing on them would only bring complications.

“It’s the scent of successful Christmas shopping and two pink gin cocktails. Marina says hello, by the way.”

“Sweet freedom. Tell her I say hello back.” Sloane lowered herself carefully down to her chaise sofa, then put her injured leg on some cushions. “Whereas I’ve been sitting here thinking about my wreck of a life. Injured. Single. Wondering if this fresh start is over before it’s even begun. If my ankle’s trashed, I won’t make the international camp in April, then that’s my World Cup fucked.”

Sloane’s words bounced and echoed around the room, which was still devoid of personal touches and soft edges.

Ella raised an eyebrow and put a hand on her hip. “Well, aren’t you a ray of sunshine?” She paused. “Shall I make coffee so we can use the cream and put a smile on your face?”

It worked. “Yes, please. On the plus side, I’ve just demolished two packets of pickled onion flavour Monster Munch and have been wondering where they’ve been all my life.”

Ella could see the damage on the floor next to Sloane. “How did you get pickled onion Monster Munch when you can barely walk?”

“Nat and Welshy came to see me and brought gifts.”

“Gifts of high nutritional value,” Ella smirked.

“That’s why it pays to have young friends.”

Ella filled the coffee machine the way she’d seen Sloane do it a few times since she arrived, and leaned against the island. Her eye was immediately drawn to the cold, crisp evening outside, and the view of Salchester from the roof terrace, lit up like a thousand Christmas trees. It never failed to impress. “You can’t mope when you have a view like this.” Ella nodded towards it.

“I can if my career’s over. I’m only going to be here for a year. I can’t spend it on the sidelines.”

Ella flinched at the admission. Her stomach clenched, and the room temperature plummeted. Sloane was only going to be here for a year. Ella was already attached. Perhaps it was a good thing nothing had happened between them. “Did you speak to anybody today? It’s no good just sitting here, moping. No wonder you’re down.” She flicked on the coffee machine and it whirred into life, spitting black coffee into Sloane’s white mug.

“I spoke to Nat and Welshy.”

“About how you’re feeling?”

“We talked about soccer, and how good Monster Munch is. And the new garlic hummus they have at Marks & Spencer, which is apparently da bomb. Does that count?”

Ella laughed, grabbed the coffee, added the cream, and brought it over to Sloane.

“Glad to hear you went deep. It must have been difficult to open up.”

“You have no idea.” A genuine smile grazed Sloane’s face.

Sloane held her gaze and the moment shimmered between them. Then she blinked, brought the coffee to her lips, and let out a small groan. “Oh my god, thank you thank you thank you! That is what I’ve been missing. Why do you people not have Half-and-Half, or the UK equivalent?”

“I’ll put in a request for Sainsbury’s to stock it. If we say it’s for you, the Salchester branch might oblige.”

“Unless the manager is a United fan.”

They grinned at each other. Being with Sloane was a breeze. Even if she was going to leave next year, Ella could just enjoy the now.

“Things are looking up already. You have cream for your coffee, and you’ve mastered driving on the correct side of the road.”

“Wrong side.”

“We’ll agree to differ.”

“And now I might not be able to drive for ages.” She gestured to her ankle. “I won’t be able to see my cousin either. I was going to her house next week.”

Ella switched into professional mode. “It’s a setback. You’ve had setbacks before. Call your cousin and get her to come here. Problem solved. You’ve lost games, been injured. You’ll come back stronger. Where’s your fighting spirit?”

“On vacation.”

Whenever Sloane said an American word, Ella was struck by how American she sounded. Now was one of those times.