The Game
A ROMANTIC SHORT STORY BY CHRISTINA COLLINS
Ellie was less than thrilled with Luke’s special gift, but if she gave it a try hopefully there would be no penalty…
Ellie made a grab for the pile of cards on the breakfast bar. Growing up, she’d always hated her February birthday, wishing it was in July or August.
Her brother always seemed to get more than her – but as she got older and presents didn’t matter so much, she realised that something to celebrate in gloomy February was a blessing.
She pulled them all open, reading the sentiments inside, and then lined them up on the sideboard. Her boyfriend Luke sat patiently as she went through them all before handing her an envelope.
“And this is from me.”
Ellie eyed it suspiciously.
What is it? I’ve already had a card from you!
“Open it and see,” he said, his smile producing dimples in both his cheeks.
She slid her finger through the flap and emptied out the contents.
“Rugby tickets?” The words were a whisper from her astonished mouth.
She picked up the two tickets.
“Ah, I see!” she exclaimed, her eyes beginning to glisten. “Wales versus Scotland? We’re going to Edinburgh, aren’t we?”
Luke’s feet shuffled across the wooden floor, his eyes lowered.
“Um, no, actually. We’re playing at home for that match.”
“Oh, right.”
Ellie leaned over and kissed Luke on the lips, attempting a smile.
“Thanks, it’ll be great.”
As soon as Luke left for work Ellie called her best friend, Lucy.
“What was he thinking? I’ve never shown any interest in rugby. Well, I may watch a bit if it’s on TV – but seriously, I can’t think of anything worse.”
“I must admit, it does seem an odd sort of present for you.”
“I got all excited because I thought he’d booked us a weekend away in Edinburgh to go with it.”
“And he hasn’t?”
“No, it’s a home game. Going twenty minutes up the road to stand in the freezing cold watching grown men throw a ball around!”
“I’ve never been to a match, but people say the atmosphere is amazing. Just go with it, you’ll probably enjoy when you get there,” Lucy said.
“Hmmm. I suppose.”
Men don’t always get things right, Ellie, and I’m sure even we women make a few errors along the way!
“Maybe I’ll get him a manicure for his birthday!” Ellie joked.
“Ha ha. Knowing Luke, he’d probably quite enjoy that!”
Ellie laughed. She could always rely on Lucy to cheer her up.
“He probably would. We’re going out tonight for a fancy meal, so I’ll make the most of that.”
Ellie ended the call with Lucy and twirled the tickets between her fingers.
Memories of her dad flooded her mind. He would have been ecstatic if someone had given him a birthday present like this. He’d been an avid rugby fan and had tried throughout her childhood to get her involved, but she had no interest.
She was arty and could always make something out of nothing, but she didn’t have a coordinated bone in her body and had done her best to avoid PE lessons at school.
Tears pooled. She always had a moment alone on her birthday and other memorable days in the year to think about her dad, but today her thoughts were filled with happy childhood memories of his efforts to get her involved in something sporty.
She’d had swimming lessons, went to ballet for all of three weeks, and he had even tried to get her interested in the long jump, despite the fact she was the shortest girl in her class.
When her brother came along she thought she would be let off the hook, but his attempts never waned. She still missed him dearly.
“I’ll go, and I’ll enjoy it for you, Dad,” she whispered.
Since the game was not for a couple of weeks, Ellie almost forgot all about it.
“You excited for Saturday?” Luke asked across the table.
“Saturday?”
“The match, your birthday present.”
“Oh, yeah. Of course, very excited.”
Ellie took a quick glance at a weather app on her mobile. Persistent rain throughout the day, with a sharp wind. Temperatures barely rising above zero.
“Great,” she muttered, the smile still on her face. Thoughts of how she could get out of it crossed her mind, but she knew Luke would be disappointed if she made excuses not to go.
The day of the match arrived and as Ellie woke she groaned, realising what day it was.
Luke wanted to make an early start and get there in time for a spot of lunch first. In all honesty, this was the only part of the day she was looking forward to.
She got dressed and sauntered into the hallway wearing a puffer jacket, gloves and thick socks poking over the top of her boots. Luke wound a red and white scarf around her neck.
“That’s better. Got to look the part,” he said with a grin.
“Great, thanks.” She dragged her lips into a smile as she rearranged the scarf.
Luke grabbed the car keys from the dish on the bookcase.
“You’re taking the car? Why don’t we just get the train?”
“They’ll be jam-packed. It’ll be easier parking the car than trying to navigate through the crowds on foot.”
Ellie shrugged.
OK, as long as you don’t expect me to drive home. This is my birthday treat, after all.
“Wouldn’t dream of asking,” he replied, looking innocent.
Once inside the stadium, Ellie could see how big it was. She had to admit, it was impressive. Every seat was taken and as she looked down towards the pitch, it seemed so far away she wondered how anyone could see what was going on.
She found herself sitting among a variety of supporters. The three seats next to her were taken by men in kilts, one holding plastic bagpipes. Red shirts blazed around her, and faces were painted with red dragons. Daffodil hats and Saltires were dotted around.
During the build-up, Ellie got chatting and laughing with the crowd seated near them. She belted out songs she didn’t realise she knew the words to. Her dad’s passion must have been instilled in her subconscious.
She joined in with the Mexican wave, holding hands with Luke and the guy wearing the kilt. Nearing half-time, she turned to Luke and shouted over the noise, “Never knew a rugby match could be so much fun!”
“I knew you’d like it,” he replied, kissing her cold cheek.
Half-time arrived and as Ellie soaked in the atmosphere a loud voice came over the Tannoy.
From the Principality stadium, we’d like to wish Ellie Beresford a very happy birthday!
The cameras zoomed in and caught Ellie, her face now showing on the large screen overlooking the pitch.
“Oh, my goodness, how on earth did you manage to arrange this?”
Whoops and cheers erupted, and everyone burst into their own version of Happy Birthday, their voices booming and echoing around her.
Ellie’s face flushed so red she was glad of the cold air. Little did she realise that her face was going to appear on every television in the country.
“I can’t believe you actually did that – but thank you!”
Ellie felt a lump in her throat. Luke must have gone to so much trouble and she felt guilty at her lack of enthusiasm.
The final whistle blew and Ellie joined everyone else jumping up and down, delighted with the score. They cheered and clapped until their hands stung as the players left the field.
Luke touched her elbow. “Come on, we’d better be making tracks.”
“Already?
The guys here are heading to the Market Tavern for celebration drinks, I said we’d join them.
Luke glanced at his watch. “I’d rather get going, Ellie. The traffic will be a nightmare getting out of the city.”
Ellie crinkled her nose and let out a loud sigh. “OK, let’s go.”
She said her goodbyes to her new friends and they saw her out with a rendition of an old Stevie Wonder song.
Ellie was still feeling a bit miffed as they headed out of the city. This was supposed to be her birthday treat and she didn’t think a drink after the game was too much to ask.
She stared at the road ahead and sat up, paying more attention.
Luke, where are you going? You’ve taken a wrong turn.
Luke glanced across at her briefly.
“It’s a shortcut, just to avoid some of the worst of the traffic.”
Ellie slumped back into her seat and closed her eyes. A few miles later she glanced ahead again. “I thought we’d be back on the motorway by now.”
She peered out into the darkness.
“Where are we?”
“Take a look in there.” Luke nodded to the glove compartment.
Ellie’s eyebrows collided in the middle. “What for?” She fumbled inside and pulled out an envelope. “This?”
She reached inside and found two boarding passes.
Cardiff – Edinburgh depart 7.35pm.
“What is this?”
Luke smiled, still focused on the road.
“Thought you’d like to see the opposition’s hometown.”
Ellie read the piece of paper accompanying the boarding passes. It was a printout for a booking of a two-night stay – in a luxury suite at a four-star hotel on the Royal Mile.
“But I haven’t packed.”
“I have! For both of us. And before you say anything, Lucy helped me.”
“Lucy knew about all this? But she can’t keep a secret to save her life! How didn’t she crack?”
“I swore her not to say anything… and a small persuasion of wine!”
“So, you’ve got the suitcases with us?”
“Why do you think I brought the car?”
She clutched the envelope to her chest, her smile lifting her cheekbones.
This is amazing. Thank you. Can this day get any better?
Luke’s hand reached for his trouser pocket. His fingers tapped the small red velvet box, confirming for the hundredth time that day that it was still there.
“I hope so,” he muttered to himself.
“I really hope so.”
