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I scoot over, to sit closer to him.

‘I can understand why she’s scared.’

‘So can I.’

‘Do you know what you’d do if you retired?’

‘I have options,’ he replies. ‘I could go back to the bakery. Dad always assumed I’d end up there eventually. I could coach professionally. I like working with kids, but I could move into club coaching too. I’ve had people mention it. Or there’s punditry – I’ve had a few offers for that.’

‘You’d be brilliant at that,’ I say. ‘You understand the game, people respect you, and you talk a lot of sense. You’d be the calm, intelligent one.’

‘Yeah, but I’m not sure I want to argue with Ron every night.’

He says it with a laugh.

‘At least you know you can take him in a fight,’ I joke – although it is true.

‘Yeah, I don’t think that’s for me.’

‘What do you want to do?’ I ask seriously.

Eddy looks towards the doorway leading to the showers. For a moment, I think he is going to avoid answering. Then he exhales.

‘Truthfully?’

I nod.

‘I don’t want to retire yet,’ he says softly, and I can tell that he means it.

‘Then don’t.’

‘It’s not that simple.’

‘Why?’

‘I’m getting older,’ he replies. ‘This is probably my last proper crack with England, and there are younger lads coming through at Leeds. Clubs have salary caps, only so many players get picked for the games. At some point, I have to go.’

‘You’re still getting results though,’ I point out. ‘The Lions need you. And you were Man of the Season.’

‘I know.’

‘You scored one of the best tries anyone has seen in years.’

He smiles, then looks down again.

‘I want to stay with the Lions, if they’ll keep me. I think I’ve still got a lot to give. I suppose a lot depends on how I do here.’

‘You’re going to be amazing,’ I reply. ‘After the season you just had…’

I mean it with all of my heart. Whatever happens between us, whatever this relationship is or isn’t, I have watched him play, work, train and teach. I have seen the way people respond to him and the standards he sets. He plays well, game after game – that’s not someone who should retire. Even I know that.

He gets up and heads over to a control panel. He starts pushing buttons.

‘You’re amazing,’ I say, just in case I’m not making it clear enough.

‘That’s another reason I don’t want to quit,’ he says, his smile lingering. ‘You’re here now.’

I take a deep breath as I try to steady my nerves.