Page 5 of Playing the Game

Not bad.

Swallowing hard, he popped the door open and got out. Having spent his time in England mainly on the south coast, the bite of the northern late-August air hit him.

Don’t they have summer round here?

A month ago, Jonas had travelled up in secret for his medical and to speak to the Brockton manager, Javier. They’d got on immediately. Of course, Jonas had met Javier many times at industry events, but this had been the first time he’d properly talked with him. The enigmatic Spaniard had convinced Jonas that this would be the right move.

Time would tell.

He stopped at the door with the club’s crest above it.

Right then, Brockton. Let’s see what you’ve got for me.

Steven Cox stood in the reception area. His publicised romance with midfielder Udo Holtmann earlier in the year had been the catalyst for everything.

“Jonas,” he said, holding his hand out.

“Steven,” Jonas replied, taking it. “Good to see you again.”

“You’ll be sick of the sight of me by the end of the season. Come with me. Javier is waiting in his office.”

They walked through the building that served as the nerve centre of the club. On Jonas’ previous visit, things had been quiet. Like a school in the summer holidays. Today it was a hive of activity. Physios, office workers and operations staff were all flitting around.

“Are the others here yet?” Jonas asked as they walked up the stairs.

“No. You’re the first.”

That reassured him. Jonas liked to be the first to everything.

“And the rest of the team?”

“They’re getting changed for training. Which you’ll be doing soon. First, Javier and I want to have a chat with you three newcomers.”

Jonas nodded.

It made sense that the most high-profile transfers of the summer would need a pep talk from the manager. Once on the first floor, Steven led him into a small office.

Javier sat behind the desk. He was an attractive Spaniard with a greying beard and wide grin.

“Jonas,” he said.

Javier got up and walked around the desk. He shook Jonas’ hand enthusiastically.

“It’s good to be here.”

“Come,” Javier said, gesturing to two couches in the corner.

They all sat. This was really happening.

Steven’s phone pinged. He glanced at it.

“Ah, Noah is here. Excuse me.”

That left Jonas alone with his new manager.

“It’s great to finally be here.”

“You said that already,” Javier replied. “Relax, okay? I had to face the team alone on my first day. You’ve got two others to keep you company.”