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Sloane snorted. “Probably wise.” She was lucky that her ankle had healed in time to play in such a historic game, at the home of football. She’d won the World Cup, along with every honour in the US. But the FA Cup was special. Her great-grandparents played in early rounds.Now, she’d carried on the family name and finished what they started.

“I’ll be right back. There’s something I have to do before I can properly celebrate.”

Sloane squeezed Ella’s hand, then ran to the sidelines, searching behind the dugout where she knew her family were. When she heard her name called, she looked up and connected with Cathy’s huge grin.

“You did it! You’re a bloody superstar!” Cathy screamed, her arms aloft.

Sloane didn’t care what she looked like. She vaulted the barrier, took the steps up to the tenth row, and amid much back-slapping and congratulations, reached her family and hugged them all in turn. Hayley looked in shock. Ryan couldn’t stop smiling. Rich kept patting her back. And Cathy just grinned.

“You were just brilliant,” she said, clutching Sloane’s chin. “Nerves of steel to take that penalty. I could hardly watch.”

Ryan nudged his mum in the ribs. “You didn’t watch! You had your hands over your face.”

“I was watching through my fingers.” Cathy blushed bright pink. “I’m so proud of you. Your whole family is. But I know especially that my grandparents, your great-grandparents, are both looking down on you and saying, ‘Go on, girl’!” She punched the air as she said the last bit. “You’re a chip off the Patterson block.”

Sloane nodded. “That one was for Eliza.”

Cathy wiped away a tear. “I know it was, love.” She put her hand over her heart. “I felt it here.”

Sloane couldn’t help but smile.

She’d come to the UK to find herself.

What she’d actually found was a new family, a new love, and a new home.

CHAPTER36

Sloane was waiting when Ella got down to the street outside her flat. She kissed her, with a wide grin. She wore ripped jeans and a black parka, because the weather had turned from blue skies to Baltic, even though it was nearly June. Salchester’s season was done, and Sloane had called saying she had news.

“Well?” Ella put a hand on her hip. She hoped it was the news she’d been waiting for ever since their last game of the season. They’d missed out on the league by three points, but it was still their best-ever finish. Lucy had thanked the whole team and staff, and told them to go and enjoy their time off. Ella wouldn’t be able to do that until Sloane’s future was settled. Sloane kept telling her to relax. Easier said than done.

“Get in the car, you sexy thing. We’re going to Shot Of The Day.”

She gave Sloane a look. Nobody looked sexy in a rain jacket.

“The news is we’re having a coffee?”

“And a Danish if you play your cards right.”

Ella checked her watch. “You know damn well they’ll be sold out by now.”

Sloane gunned the engine and plugged in her phone. Taylor Swift filled the car, singing about being 22.

“I’ve wondered, ever since our pre-season. Would this have been the one you’d have chosen to sing? When you ducked out of karaoke, as I recall?”

“That would be telling. I can’t give away all my secrets.” Ella grinned as Sloane pulled onto the road with ease. She drove regularly now with no hiccups. Ella liked being driven around. It had never happened in her life before. It felt like being taken care of. It felt nice.

“I’ll just have to make sure you sing a song at this year’s pre-season then, won’t I?”

Ella let the words sink in for a few seconds. Then she sat up. “Hang on, does that mean?” She turned in her seat.

Sloane pulled up at a red light, turned, then nodded. “It does.” Her grin said it all. “Just got the call from Adrianne. She managed to get what she wanted. She’s happy. I’m happy. And I hope you are, too.”

A wave of love washed over Ella. Right at this second, she didn’t think she’d ever been happier. She put an arm around Sloane’s neck, pulled her in and gave her a bruising kiss. A reel of their past few months whizzed by in her mind. Sloane was staying. Life was good. It was only about to get better.

“I should drive around telling you life-changing news more often.”

Sloane’s gaze warmed Ella right through. The lights went green, and Sloane pulled away.