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Eddy looks at him. ‘Shame.’

Jamie gives a brief laugh, but there is no real humour in it. ‘Good to see you too, pal,’ he replies.

I glance between them. Okay, there’s definitely some tension here. Something beyond the usual rivalries between the teams.

Jamie turns back to me, deliberately ignoring Eddy.

‘I’ll see you after the game for that drink.’

Before I can answer, Eddy says, ‘You won’t.’

Jamie raises his eyebrows, but Eddy’s expression does not change.

‘I’m taking her out to celebrate,’ Eddy says. ‘She’s my girlfriend.’

There is something very deliberate in the way he says it. Not performative exactly, and possessive feels too strong a word – it was pointed, that’s all I can file it under for now.

Jamie’s face drops for a split second, his grin slipping before he catches it. It’s back before most people could tell the difference.

‘We’ll see,’ he says simply, then he walks away towards the visitors’ changing room without another word, champagne still in hand.

I wait until he is out of earshot. Then I turn to Eddy.

‘God, he’s cocky, isn’t he? Who is he?’

Eddy looks down the corridor after him.

‘That’s Jamie Royle,’ he replies. ‘He plays for Manchester. He’s twenty-seven, hasn’t been playing in this league all that long, but he’s got the confidence of a legend already.’

‘He mentioned Manchester were your biggest rivals,’ I point out.

‘Yeah, and then the press will tell you that he’s my biggest rival, and that I’m his,’ he replies.

‘Is that true?’

‘He’s a kid,’ Eddy says, dismissing it, even though he’s only, what, five years older than him, tops. ‘He likes to try to wind me up.’

‘He’s convinced he’s going to win,’ I say.

Eddy looks towards the tunnel.

‘We’ll see.’

There it is again. The same phrase Jamie used, but Jamie said it like a challenge, whereas Eddy says it more like a promise.

Someone calls his name from inside the Lions’ area.

He glances back, then looks at me.

‘Wish me luck.’

For some reason, my stomach gives a small flutter, as though he really were my boyfriend. Then again, I am a Lion now, so obviously I want them to win.

‘Good luck,’ I reply.

His mouth curves into the faintest smile.

‘Thanks.’