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‘What are you most excited about when it comes to joining the Lions?’ I ask next.

He leans back slightly, thinking.

‘Honestly? Eddy Hood,’ he says.

My ears prick up.

‘Eddy Hood?’ I reply, hoping he’ll elaborate.

‘Yeah. He’s a legend,’ he says.

Cal’s whole face changes. He looks genuinely excited now.

‘I’ve watched him for years,’ he continues. ‘When I was a kid, I used to stay up for the English league games. He was one of those players you noticed straight away. Tough, smart, always in the contest.’

I nod as though I have been following Eddy Hood’s career for a decade rather than, you know, almost a week.

It sounds strange to hear him say he watched Eddy play when he was a kid, but I suppose if Eddy is in his early thirties now, then when he was Cal’s age, Cal really was a kid.

‘So you’re hoping to play alongside him?’

‘Definitely. If I get the chance.’

‘If?’ I reply.

‘Yeah, there’s a rumour this might be his last year,’ he replies.

I feel something deep in my stomach, although I’m not sure what it is.

‘Really?’ I reply – more for myself than the interview.

He gives a little shrug.

‘That’s what people say. He hasn’t confirmed anything. I hope it’s not true. He’s still got it. And because, selfishly, I want at least one season with him.’

‘Right,’ is all I can think to say.

‘Even if it is his last year, though, he’s a legend. Everyone knows that.’

We finish the interview a few minutes later. I should be thinking about the footage, but I’ve got Eddy on my mind. I haven’t seen him since we were in the dressing room together. I don’t suppose the players have much reason to be here; they train at a facility about fifteen minutes away, so they only pop in for specific things or matches.

Well, I say I haven’t seen him, but that only applies to him as a person. Generally speaking, I see him everywhere. He is impossible to avoid in a building that has decided he – rightly so – should adorn almost every available wall space.

There is the mural near the changing rooms, the one in the car park, a group photo by reception – he’s even on the wall outside my hotel room. Oh, and not to mention the poster in the lift. There’s no escaping him. My boyfriend – ha.

Sooner or later, I’m going to have to walk this whole thing back. Not immediately – that would look suspicious. But soon. Well, people date, relationships end, and everyone moves on. There’s no reason this should affect either of us, in the long term, but it helps us both right now.

I just need to get to the end of the season. Then, before the next season starts, Eddy and I can quietly split up. No drama, no betrayals or arguments, no cheating or scandal, just two people going their separate ways. I guess it will be easier for me, if he retires… I wonder if he plans to? I wonder if he wants to, even?

I’m focusing on the fact that this could be good for me too. It’s sort of fallen in my lap, but if people believe I’m with Eddy Hood, Leeds Lions legend, it makes me look connected to the club. Surely Bryan wouldn’t get rid of me, right?

The club gets a nice story about one of its biggest players settling down with the new PR woman – defending her honour, no less – and I get a job and a fresh start. Everyone wins. Even Ron, who gets to crack on with his lovely little life unscathed – except a bruise, but that will heal.

It is a good plan – and a product of just how good I am at PR, not that I can tell anyone, of course.

All I need to do is pull it off – and hope Eddy keeps playing ball too.

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