CHAPTER 35

The sun shone through the pale, spring sky as the trees blossomed around London.

Isabella hadn’t woken up to her phone. For the first time in months, she hadn’t gone straight to check if there were messages about the Westbridge investigation.

The story was no longer all hers...

The original financial books had been recovered by the authorities, and there were now independent investigations into the findings.

They showed that there were concerns about payments to Meridian Sports Advisory that weren’t properly documented. There was confirmation that it wasn’t possible to conduct the initial review due to obstructions.

Richard Vale had also stepped down as an executive during the investigation. Thomas Bennett had stepped down as well at Westbridge whilst they investigated further into his involvement in Daniel’s departure.

New financial checks and an independent reporting system for academy players had been announced.

Michael Grant had also released a formal statement and passed on any correspondence he had. He still would have to answer questions about his decisions.

Whilst not all of the questions had been answered and no one had been found guilty of everything they’d been accused of, the evidence was finally in the right place.

Isabella breathed a sigh of relief.

Her article had been recognised for its professionalism. A follow up had been started to raise awareness about how to protect young athletes when they bring concerns to light.

Margaret had offered Isabella a permanent position as head of the features department.

She had accepted.

She was proud of what she had done, and more proud that she hadn’t been swayed by her emotions.

She didn’t protect Alexander.

She didn’t protect her father.

And she hadn’t made Daniel’s suffering into a story.

For the first time in her career, she felt like the journalist she’d always wanted to be.

One Saturday afternoon, Isabella went to visit her mother.

They were sitting out in the garden having a cup of tea, the sun shining through the flowers on top of the tree. The old notebook belonging to Thomas Reed was on the table.

"Whilst I was going through the boxes last week..."

She handed over a sealed envelope.

It had her name written on the front in her fathers handwriting.

She stared at it.

"When did he write this?"

"I’m not sure. It was in amongst his old papers. I think he was going to give it to you but never got round to it."

Carefully she opened the letter.

My darling Isabella,

If you’re reading this maybe you’ve finally learnt why I left Westbridge.

For years I’ve wondered if I should tell you everything. I didn’t want to put you in any danger from the people that scared me but I know I’ve hurt you.

You deserve to know why I left. You deserve a dad that could sit down with you and answer your questions.

I raised concerns with the payments that I couldn’t justify. When Daniel Mercer came to me I believed him. I tried to get an independent review but there were obstructions. I signed a document assuming that the original documents would be passed onto independent auditors. I later found out that I couldn’t find where they had gone.

I made mistakes. I trusted people I shouldn’t have and allowed my fears to make decisions for me. I became scared for our family when I realised my signature could be used to blame me for things I didn’t do.

I thought I was protecting you by leaving. I didn’t realise that you would be left with questions that would cause you pain for years.

There is no excuse for causing you pain. I hope that one day you’ll realise that leaving wasn’t me stopping me loving you.

Whatever happens I want you to know that you were never the reason I left. You were the reason I wanted to protect you.

I’m sorry I didn’t know how to do it better.

With all my love,

Dad.

She read through it twice.

Tears were forming in her eyes as she placed the letter in her lap.

Her mum leaned in.

"Oh darling."

"I’d been thinking for such a long time that he didn’t care enough to stay."

Her mum took her hand.

"He should have told you more."

She wiped her eyes.

"I wish he’d stayed. I wish he’d trusted us enough to explain what was going on."

"You can wish that."

She looked back down at the letter.

Her dad wasn’t perfect. He had made mistakes and had hurt the people that loved him by not talking. However, he had tried to expose the wrong doing and was scared.

She could finally see him as a person.

"I don’t know if I can forgive him for everything."

"It’s not today."

She folded up the letter and placed it back in the envelope.

For the first time she felt like she could think about her dad without being overwhelmed by why he left.

She could miss him.

Be angry with him.

And love him.

All at once.

Perhaps that was what healing really was.

A week later Isabella met with Daniel Mercer in a quiet park in Manchester.

He had agreed to give a formal statement to the authorities with legal support and protection. He had also started seeing a counsellor to talk through the years he spent hiding from those he thought wanted to silence him.

He looked much more relaxed.

Not completely, but not as if he was expecting danger to happen.

They sat on a bench overlooking a small lake.

"Alexander wanted to come but I thought you may have preferred talking to me first," Isabella explained.

Daniel nodded.

"Thank you."

She hesitated.

"Would you like to see him?"

He looked out over the water.

"I’ve been thinking about it."

"You don’t have to forgive him."

"I know."

He rubbed his hands together.

"I’ve imagined for years what I would say if I ever saw him again. I thought I would be so angry. I wanted him to feel how I felt."

"What now?"

"I’m still angry but I don’t want to spend the rest of my life being angry with someone who has admitted they were wrong."

She smiled.

"That sounds like progress."

Daniel chuckled.

"Don’t tell anyone! I have a reputation to uphold!"

She chuckled.

"But seriously," He said, his face turning serious.

"I used to think that by leaving football they’d won. I thought I’d lost everything.

“You didn't lose your talent.”

"No. But I lost years."

There was no comforting words to say.

"I know."

He looked out over the lake.

"I’ve started coaching with a local youth programme. Nothing major but just helping some young players with their training."

"That sounds lovely."

"It’s weird being around football again but I’m enjoying it."

"You should be proud of yourself."

He paused.

"Tell Alexander something for me."

"What?"

"Just that I haven’t forgotten but I believe he’s trying to be a better man."

She nodded.

"I will."

He stood up and paused.

"Isabella?"

"Yes?"

"Remember that your dad did try to help me."

Tears filled her eyes.

"I will."

They said their goodbyes under the trees.

Whilst she hadn’t magically brought back the years he’d lost, or taken away his fears and answered all his questions, he had been given something he’d been denied for too long.

The Lake District was exactly what Isabella needed.

No reporters. No football cameras. No threatening messages. No mountains of documents.

Just green hills, peaceful lakes, small roads and a small hotel. Alexander had booked a room overlooking the water.

On their first evening they had walked along the shore as the sun set behind the hills.

Alexander was dressed in a dark jacket and trainers. Isabella had a scarf wrapped around her neck and her hair was blowing in her face.

He reached over and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

"You seem quiet."

"I’m enjoying the silence."

"Am I meant to be offended?"

"If you want to be."

He chuckled.

They walked until they reached a wooden bench overlooking the lake.

Alexander had sat down first and held out his hand.

She sat beside him.

They watched the water for a while.

"I’ve been thinking about the future," Alexander said.

"That sounds serious."

"It is."

"Tell me."

He took a breath.

"I used to think that my future had to be perfect. Perfect career. Perfect reputation. Perfect life. If I made one mistake it would all fall apart."

"Now?"

"I’ve realised that I was so focused on making sure my future was perfect that I didn’t live in the present."

She smiled.

"That’s very philosophical for a footballer."

"I’m a man of many talents."

"Obviously."

He chuckled but then the mood turned serious.

"I want a future with you Isabella. Not because I want you to forgive me or protect me from the world. I want it because I love you."

She gasped.

"I want to wake up with you every morning. I want to hear your stories before anyone else. I want to argue with you about where we should eat and lose most of the arguments."

"Most of them?"

"I’m trying to be realistic."

She chuckled and he smiled.

"I want us to build something honest. Something that can withstand the tough times because we won’t hide from each other."

She looked down at their joined hands.

"I want that too."

He ran his thumb over her knuckles.

"There’s one more thing."

She raised her eyebrows.

"Alexander Hayes, are you about to give a speech?"

"Possibly."

"Should I get comfortable?"

"Very funny."

He pulled a small velvet box out of his jacket pocket.

She held her breathe.

"Alexander..."

He opened it to reveal a delicate gold ring. Simple yet elegant with a small diamond in the centre.

He looked at her, suddenly looking very nervous, something she’d never seen on the football pitch.

"We’ve had a lot to go through. We still have a lot to learn about each other and love isn’t perfect. However..."

He took her hand.

"I don’t want to waste my life waiting for the perfect moment. I want to choose you, even when life gets complicated."

His voice softened.

"Isabella Reed... Will you marry me?"

She couldn’t speak for a few seconds.

Thinking back to the first time they met. Thinking about how she saw him as just a famous footballer with something to hide.

The arguments. The secrets. The late night talks.

The painful truth about Daniel.

The man who had finally decided to be honest despite it putting his future at risk.

The life they could build.

"Yes."

Alexander looked shocked.

"Yes?"

She laughed through her tears.

"Yes you silly man!"

He slid the ring onto her finger and kissed her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her slightly off the ground.

Eventually he placed her back on the ground and rested his forehead against hers.

"You just made me the happiest man alive."

"Good. Because if you ever hide anything important from me again I will write the most devastating article about you."

He chuckled.

"I would expect nothing less from my future wife."

She kissed him.

The water sparkled behind them as the evening breeze blew gently through the trees.

For once they weren’t thinking about the past.

They were thinking about their future.

One Last Match

Six months later Westbridge FC had their last home game of the season.

They had started rebuilding their academy monitoring system. The independent investigators were still looking through financial evidence. A number of former players had come forward with information about their past practices. They had also announced a programme to provide confidential support for young athletes wanting to report any concerns.

The full legal process was still in progress but the culture within the academy had changed.

Alexander was still the captain.

He had learnt that being a leader meant listening, taking responsibility and not letting your fears make decisions for you.

On the morning of the match he was adjusting his collar in the mirror.

Isabella walked through the door wearing a navy dress and the engagement ring he had given her.

"Are you nervous?"

"About the match?"

"Anything."

He smiled.

"I’m always nervous before a big match."

"That’s good. Means you’re human."

He turned to face her.

"Are you coming to the stadium?"

"Of course! I wouldn’t miss it."

He walked over and kissed her.

"So I’ve got something to look forward too."

The team were greeted with a roar from the fans.

Alexander led his team onto the pitch.

He glanced over to where Isabella was sat. She waved with a bright smile.

He smiled back.

The match was tough. They scored one in the first half but conceded an equaliser. However they managed to find a winning goal in the final minutes.

Alexander raised his arms as the whistle blew.

His team ran towards him.

The stadium exploded.

Later, after the excitement had died down a little Alexander found Isabella waiting by the players entrance.

He took her hand and looked at the ring on her finger.

"Ready to be Mrs Hayes?"

She pretended to think.

"I guess I can tolerate it."

"Just tolerate?"

"Don’t get too excited Captain."

He chuckled and kissed her.

She rested her head on his chest.

"I love you."

He pulled her closer.

"I love you too."

For years Alexander had thought that being loved meant he had to prove he could never fail.

However he now realised that being loved wasn’t about being perfect.

It was about being brave enough to be honest.

Wanting to fix what was broken. And choosing to stay when the truth became hard.

Isabella had spent years searching for answers about her dad. However she had learnt that sometimes the past can’t be simplified.

Understanding someone doesn’t mean you’ll excuse their mistakes. Forgiving them doesn’t mean you’ll forget the pain.

They had uncovered the truth that the powerful had tried to hide. However their biggest win wasn’t a headline, a football match or a reputation.

It was the life they were choosing to build.

A life without lies.

A life where they didn’t have to be perfect to be loved.

And as Alexander kissed Isabella under the bright lights of Westbridge’s stadium she knew the most beautiful part of their story had just begun.