Free Do You Remember? by Mandy Baggot

Chris proposed lately? Once a month now, isn’t it?’ Ally asked. She launched her empty cardboard cup into the bin.
    ‘Yesterday,’ Emma answered. She looked through the glass at Dominic. He was dribbling with speed and accuracy.
    ‘No! What, after my free bar last night? God, did he end up on the shots?’ Ally asked.
    ‘It wasn’t last night, it was earlier…in the morning…it doesn’t matter,’ Emma responded with a sigh.
    Ally was listening but she wasn’t hearing her. That was just the way she was. Ally was her best friend, her sounding board, the only person she had to talk to/at. But things were black and white in Ally’s world. If you didn’t like something you changed it. Ally didn’t dwell on things. She made decisions and stuck to them. Emma thought too much. She’d always been guilty of thinking too much.
    ‘So, what was he like? I mean, did he have the body on him he’s got now?’ Ally asked, a glint in her eye.
    ‘Chris?’
    ‘No, not Chris. Chris’ body in that nylon suit is not something I want to have wet dreams about…no offence or anything.’
    ‘Guy?’
    ‘Yes of course Guy.’
    ‘What do you think?’ Emma answered, a smile opening her mouth.
     
    The boy had talent, already he could see that. It was so hard for him to concentrate on anyone else in the class when his son was stood in front of him. When he’d addressed the group, introduced himself and outlined what he was hoping to achieve in their session, the boy had looked up at him, his eyes wide with excitement and enthusiasm. He’d wanted to stop. He’d wanted to dismiss the other children and concentrate on his son. His boy. Watching him now he still couldn’t believe it. All these years, all the years of burying himself in the game, fighting his way to the top, being the best, staying the best, and, without his knowledge, he had someone to do it all for.
    ‘Shall I turn again, Guy?’ Dominic called.
    Guy smiled at him and ruffled his mop of hair with his hand.
    ‘
Oui
, go again,’ he responded.
     

Chapter Thirteen
     
    She heard the scream through the glass. She didn’t need to look to know it was Dominic but she still did, hoping her ears were deceiving her. The visual only gave her confirmation. Without uttering a word to Ally, she leapt from her seat and fled the room.
    Her heart was pulsating hard, throbbing a beat in her chest and her neck simultaneously. Her maternal instinct kicked in, concern for Dominic flooding every sense. By the time she reached the bottom of the stairs she was practically hyperventilating. She burst through the door to the hall, uncaring about anything other than getting to her child.
    Guy was on his knees next to Dominic’s prostrate form, holding the boy’s leg with one hand and ruffling his hair with the other.
    ‘What happened?’
    The phrase came out of her mouth sharp and accusing.
    ‘He is OK…just a twist,’ Guy told her.
    ‘And how could you possibly know that? Are you a doctor?’ Emma yelled, taking hold of Dominic’s hand.
    ‘No, but…’ Guy started.
    ‘Where does it hurt, Dom?’
    ‘It’s OK, Mum. It’s not too bad now,’ Dominic answered. He gingerly bent his knee upwards. Emma caught the grimace and heard the creak.
    ‘You’re going to the hospital,’ she said.
    ‘I’m sure if I get some ice then…’ Guy began.
    ‘Oh, you’re sure, are you? Well, I think I’d quite like the opinion of a medical professional, not an amateur football coach,’ Emma blasted.
    ‘Mum! It wasn’t Guy’s fault. I just turned too quickly and…’
    ‘Is everything alright? Come on, kiddies, it’s rude to stare. Here, take some of the balls and kick and run or whatever,’ Ally suggested, arriving in the room.
    ‘We’re going to the hospital,’ Emma repeated, urging Dominic up from the floor.
    ‘What’s he done? Nothing broken is there? I could really do without a law suit in my first week,’ Ally said, looking down at Dominic.
    ‘Come on, Dom,’ Emma