(please note I’ve changed the main character’s name from Vickie to Ashley., also long read!)
Chapter 2
Ashley checked her reflection in the mirror one final time, and happy with her look she headed for the door and on the way picked up her bag. Walking out of her bedroom downstairs her mum and dad were sitting on the couch watching TV though her mum was using her iPad.
‘All right I’m heading out for the meeting.’ Ashley replied her mum looked up.
‘How long is the meeting?’
‘I have no idea. Rod wasn’t very specific with time. I’m guessing it might be an hour at the most. I will let you know when we finish.’
‘All right just give a text when you’re done.’ Her mum said Ashley proceeded to put on her shoes she knew she wouldn’t need an umbrella, even if Melbourne’s weather is known for being all over the places there are occasions it stayed normal. Though she had wished this meeting could have been conducted in the day rather then at night especially as it is now starting to get closer to winter. Closing the front door behind her Ashley began the walk from the house to the train station it only took 5-10 minutes. Her phone beeped indicating a message had arrived checking the screen it was a text from Jasmine.
‘Oh god she’s going on about it again?’ Ashley groaned, half amused and half annoyed reading her friend’s message.
Reckon u’ll c him?
Ever since that first initial meeting back at the rink Jasmine wouldn’t stop teasing her about the guy Pat. Ashley hadn’t been too bothered since meeting him, and she hadn’t seen him since then. The Mustangs had the odd training session as the team was finalised, it was only announced yesterday they would have a season launch at sponsors’ The Groove Train Restaurant next Friday while the pre-season exhibition game, against the Ice was scheduled on Wednesday afternoon and then it would be the opening game of the season also to be played against the Ice.
Funny & doubt it. Im only @ ice house for meeting.
While Jasmine had fun at Ashley’s expense; on the other hand, Sonja had barely spoken much to her. She’d learned from Miranda that Sonja was really pissed she had seen Ashley and Jasmine chatting to the guy she liked, and he hadn’t said much to Sonja in return. Well Ashley didn’t think this to be her fault Sonja was the one always showing how interested she is in a guy, some loved the extra attention, and her personality while apparently others were more put off, although Sonja never got the message. Sonja though had continued hang around the Ice House often, either to get a glimpse of him or speak to him and according to the other staff he had tried to avoid her as best he could; otherwise someone had to tell Sonja to keep her distance. Ashley pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind she needed to stay focused for this meeting. It was going to be a first for her with some of the people involved in the club. According to Rod they were going to discussing stuff for game day, and what needed to be organized before the game and who was going to be in charge of which areas. She was also aware there was a possibility the team would be training later in the evening although she wasn’t sure what time. The cold chill swept across her face as the train bustled its way through the station before slowing down and eventually coming a stop once a few passengers exited she and some other people got on; finding a quiet seat by the window Ashley leaned her against it staring aimlessly staring outside not that there was much to look at anyway.
****
Late in the evenings especially early in the week Harbour town Docklands wasn’t busy, it looked more like a ghost town to be quite frank. Shops were closed with only one or two food outlets open. The eyesore Melbourne Stars is still and continues to be under construction; and the only signs of life beyond it is of course the Ice House. There was only a small sprinkling of people coming in and out of the place; however as Ashley walked closer and climb the step she saw groups of people lining up waiting to pay the admission fee. People still came ice-skating no matter what day of the week it is and Tuesday was cheap day so it was likely the public rink would be full tonight. Ashley went up to the reception area since one of the staff was free while the other two assisted with the paying patrons.
‘Hey Fran,’
‘Ash, hi how are you?’
‘Yeah I’m good. Listen is Rod Johns here yet?’
‘Ah no I haven’t seen him.’
‘Ok so do you mind opening the door so I can get in? I got invited to a meeting he is running tonight,’
‘Yeah sure.’
Ashley made her way to the opposite end of the entranceway where a security locked sliding door was located; only did staff with the swipe card could open it from the outside, or if someone at front reception pressed the un-locked button at the desk. After Fran had it unlocked Ashley headed on in, she didn’t bother using the elevator since she wasn’t going far it was much faster to just take the stairs. The second level was the bar area none of the lights were on leaving it in total darkness she went to the next level and this is where the private offices are located, bosses of the Ice House, Winter Olympics committee and others worked mainly from here. Rod had told her they would be using one of the empty rooms to the left she curiously she wandered down the left-hand side of the wall coming to one of those room it was in complete darkness although it didn’t have blinds covering the windows and she noticed the lights were all on at Henke Rink. Curiously she tried the handle of the door and got it open easily walking further inside she navigated around the long rectangular table and scattered chairs reaching the window overlooking the rink. There were indeed a few casual hockey players on the ice having their own game, and as much as she wasn’t expecting to see him she was a little disappointed. * Maybe that is a good thing. I’d rather not get distracted * She thought. Walking back towards the door she found the light switch and sat down in the chair aimlessly looking around the empty room; though pretty soon she heard voices guessing Rod and whoever else had invited was on their way, and within a few minutes the group turned the corner walking into the room.
‘Glad you made it.’ He remarked with a smile nodding at her.
‘Yeah, wasn’t too hard to find although I’ve not been to this area it’s usually closed off or one of the security guards tells us its off limits,’ Ashley answered everyone sat down at the table.
‘All right lets start with introductions first so we’re all familiar.’ Rod said he pointed to the only other woman in their group with blonde curls and an infectious smile she was quite rugged up for the cool weather.
‘That’s Belinda she’s usually in charge of the members desk and entrance.’
‘And her dad Rick he looks after all of the volunteers, as well as keeps an eye on security and some other stuff.
‘Yeah important stuff too,’ Rick said with a grin his daughter Belinda just rolled her eyes and laughed at him.
‘Yeah really super important dad,’ she sniggered Rod was shaking his head laughter in his eyes, he then next moved onto the other two guys and both Ashley noted also spoke with an accent like Rod.
‘Jeff, is also new and he’s going to be our game day manager, while Greg is the game announcer MC.’
The two men also said hello; Jeff looked all prepared for a meeting he’d brought his laptop computer, paper notepad and pens.
‘Everyone this is Ashley she’s studying a sports degree, what was it?’
‘Sports Management and its my final year.’ Ashley answered.
‘Congratulations hope it all goes well for you,’
‘Thanks.’
‘All right come on let’s get down to business we have a lot to get through.’ Rod said.
By the time they were done with the meeting Ashley had learnt more about the people, and the organization. Despite being small they had big aims and wanted to make not just them as one club but the league is a whole a success. It was going to take a lot of hard work and extreme dedication however according to Rod, Rick and Greg it wasn’t impossible. The meeting was classed as a success and would hopefully be the first of many in the future it was already just after 9pm when they wrapped up.
‘I think the guys are about to star their training.’ Greg said he had gone to take a look by the window.
‘Might as well go and watch them for a bit see how they’re going.’ Rod replied, Ashley could immediately feel the butterflies in her stomach and her face felt red she hoped the others hadn’t noticed as they all started to leave the room, they all kept on talking as they headed down to the second level and the option was to watch it from inside the bar area they had a great view of the practice even with the netting getting in the way. Down on ice level practice had already begun with two groups assembled at different ends of the ice though they were working on exactly the same drills. While Rod and co were talking about the players Ashley was able to tune out of their conversation instead focusing on the players; each one of them was instructed to go through the organized drill which was a group run attack though it looked a bit more like a power play and she was particularly interested in one player. Though she was yet to know exactly who in the team was, from her vantage point she was able to pick up little habits of each individual player; even if to the untrained eye everyone looked exactly the same. She didn’t have a scouts’ eye or anything of the sort however watching a lot of hockey all through the years had allowed her the opportunity to study players’ more closely and understand their play; from what they did before a game and during it. The one player she kept her focus on looked great on his skates he moved around the ice looking effortless he was also a left-hand shot; not unusual in hockey there always seemed like more guys who shoot left instead of right. The more she watched of him the more she had a feeling this one was definitely not a local.
‘He’s a good one that boy, Greg remarked.
‘Oh yeah he has some great hockey sense out there you can see it.’ Rod agreed Ashley wondered if they were talking about the same one she had been watching.
‘Is he one of the imports?’ she asked.
‘Yeah, from a place just outside of Boston from what Andy said. He’s been playing a bit over in Sweden as well; and upon going home he was having a look around at other options, and heard about our league here so wanted to give it a go,’ Rod said. Now Ashley was starting to wonder if whom they were talking about had anything to do with the one she met.
‘Do you know all of the players yet?’ she asked.
‘Not yet, haven’t been able to be around them much since the coaching staff got the playing group together but hopefully it’ll change once the season gets under way proper.’ Rod answered, Rick and Greg also agreed with that sentiment.
‘Why don’t we go down closer and get a better look?’ Greg asked; everyone looked at each other Rod was the first one to stand.
‘I think that’s a great idea, you all can take a look at the locker rooms and everything down there so you know what will be happening in the area on game days,’ he said.
‘Oh yeah I want to make sure we know where to find all the equipment and how to set up as well and the space we’ll have to work with when all the players came in, the fans.’ Jeff answered so with Greg and Rod leading the way they went down the corridor just to their left away from the bar opening another door leading out into another stairwell, with a small food and drink area, and immediately the coach whistle and voices from the ice echoed all around them. Instead of taking the stairs down Greg and Rod walked to their left again climbing a couple of steps walking through the standing area behind the seating. It was an excellent view of the ice below Ashley had seen it full with people from inside of the bar so knew the atmosphere has been amazing previously. They had walked to the far end of the seating closer to the players’ bench and took the stairs down some of the players whom weren’t taking part in the next drill lazed around by the bench only giving a look at the group for a split second. Ashley didn’t even realise Rick had started speaking as she was far more interested in watching the practice though she was annoyed she’d lost sight of the player.
‘Victoria?’ She quickly glanced around a little sheepish seeing everyone else smile.
‘Sorry.’
‘We’ll have plenty of time to come back and watch the players come take a look around first.’ Jeff replied motioning with his hand nodding she followed on after the group, another set of stairs coming to a long corridor with a few lockers over on the left, and to the right a set of double doors, and in front of them was another dor nothing was written on it and Jeff had pushed it open taking a quick peek.
‘There are four locker rooms, one is four the Mustangs, the other for the Ice while the remaining two are open to anyone from the hockey school to visitors playing scrimmages’,’ Rod explained he stepped aside motioning with his head.
‘Go in have a look around,’ he said Ashley went through the door into the main locker room and this one obviously belonged to the Mustangs; with the walls painted in orange and black. Despite all the time she had been working here at the Ice House she didn’t really venture to the locker rooms at all, it was like an un-written rule or something. As to be expected hockey bags with equipment spread out across the floor; and of course the smell of used equipments and sweaty athletes. Tentatively stepped over the items careful not to disturb anything and as she moved further in she saw the shower cubicles and toilets. Aside from the mess nothing in the room surprised her too much so with a shrug she stepped back into the main part of the room it was pretty simple compared to what she had seen of locker rooms in the professional league. She had nothing else to look around so she started to head towards the door only to trip up over one of the bags’ causing her to stumble clumsily forwards and into somebody who had just walked in.
‘Whoa there you ok?’
Looking up Ashley couldn’t believe it of all people it just had to be him again. Lost for words momentarily she realised Pat had managed to keep both of them from hitting the floor and her face was already red with embarrassment.
‘Oh, god I’m sorry.’ She said he smiled letting her move which she did by stepping aside closer to the wall.
‘Rod has you guys taking a look around the place?’ he asked.
‘Yeah we’d actually finished a meeting upstairs and, uh Greg suggested that we come down to watch training as well,’ she replied avoiding his gaze she instead stared at the floor.
‘I don’t usually come around to this part of the Ice House often as its not my domain. So I’m not really used to it.’ She replied.
‘Thought your friend out at the counter said you did work at ice level.’ He said.
‘I do but at the other rink during the public skates, it’s not often though once a week usually on the Thursday.’
He just nodded his head turning his attention to his bag and Ashley realised it was the one she had tripped over she groaned. * Why, did it have to be his? Of all the bags here I just happened to trip over that one * She wondered if any of this was on purpose, surely not she didn’t believe in coincidences or Murphy’s law it was all an accident. Shaking the thoughts from her mind she spotted the broken stick on the floor by his feet.
‘Snapped the stick?’ she asked Pat, stood up straight holding another hockey stick in hand turning to head back out of the room he looked at her.
‘Yeah, slap shot gone wrong split at the shaft.’
‘Ah damn hate when it’s the shaft.’
‘Well next you’re in here be careful.’ He smirked she laughed.
‘Thanks I think.’
He went on out of the locker room and Ashley stayed behind for a few seconds wondering what exactly just went on. From nearly knocking him over to an exchange about broken hockey sticks. Still bemused by it all she left the room and re-joined the group back in the stands none of them seemed at all concerned she had been in the room, engaged in another conversation as training continued. She sat in one of the vacant seats relaxed a little and also watched the session having not taken any notice of where exactly Pat was on the ice she just enjoyed watching it all unfold.
‘Victoria, are you also coming to the exhibition game?’ Rod asked.
‘Hamish did mention it. I’ll definitely try just have to check what my timetable is like first. I definitely want to come though.’ She said.
‘Oh someone is looking for you,’ Belinda remarked giving Ashley a nudge she frowned and turning to look towards the ice and saw Pat along with one of the other players by the glass, most likely waiting for their turn for the next drill; and he was indeed looking back at the seating area. When he spotted them he made a quick wave Ashley surprised returned the gesture and tried not to blush.
‘Making friends with the playing group already.’ Belinda answered with a grin laughing Ashley shrugged her shoulders.
‘Suppose so.’
‘Ahem!’ Someone suddenly spoke up Ashley recognized the voice.
‘Hey Sonja.’ She said causally.
‘Oh don’t you, hey Sonja me. We need to talk.’ Sonja said sternly Ashley sighed and rolling her eyes she turned slightly in her chair.
‘What for?’
‘You know exactly what for.’
Ashley reluctantly stood up, she didn’t want any kind of confrontation with her so called friend but clearly one was about to happen and if that were the case there was no way she wanted anyone else to bare witness to it. Without saying a word Ashley walked straight past Sonja down the steps and into the corridor where she had just been Sonja followed right behind her and with arms folded across her chest she arched her eyebrows.
‘What?’
‘Just what do you think you are doing?’
‘Working. Why? Is it such a bother to you?’
‘Yes. I saw him first so you’ve got absolutely no right to be coming around here.’
Ashley couldn’t help but laugh.
‘You are getting yourself into a stupid jealous knot over some guy you randomly met like a week a go or whatever.’
‘Look Ashley, just give it up ok?’
‘Sonja, you can think whatever it is you want but the reason I’m here is because it’s part of what I need to do and I’m working and not for fun and games. If he’s being nice so will I that is hardly a crime. Maybe if you didn’t act like such a spoilt little brat and being such a tart you might actually get somewhere.’ Ashley snapped.
‘How dare you say such a thing.’ Sonja remarked Ashley though smirked in response.
‘Hit a nerve? Besides why are you so surprised everyone else probably thinks that about you anyway.’
Ashley could see the anger flare in Sonja’s face and it made her grin inside there were so many times she had over heard conversations Sonja had with their other friends and the way she bad mouthed her behind her back thinking Ashley never knew a thing; which she of course did but only kept it to herself refusing to say anything bad in return it wasn’t really her style.
‘Well now if you’ll excuse me I’m leaving.’ She added turning and walking away back to the seating area Sonja didn’t follow and remained silent, Ashley didn’t feel like sitting around longer to watch training so went to say her goodbyes to the others and headed off out of the Ice House.