Chapter 1
Millie
This might be the most important day of my life.
Okay, maybe not mylife. But mycareer? No doubt about it.
I pace the length of my bedroom, carefully dodging piles of strewn clothes. Planting my feet, I position myself in front of the mirror, lift my chin, and flash the kind of confident smile that screams cool and competent.
“Hi,” I greet my reflection. “I’m Millie Templeton, the new social mediamenacer.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. Brilliant.
Snapping them back open, I inhale. Deeply. Then, I square my shoulders, like I’ve seen people do in TED Talks, and try again.
“Hi, everyone. I’m excited to be here today. My name is Millie Templeton, and I’m the team’s new social media manager. If you’re not a fan of social media, don’t worry. I’ll make you fall in love with me in—” I blink, my smile tightening. “Great. That’s just great.”
I groan, then start pacing again, nearly tripping over a pair of jeans I don’t even remember wearing. Maybe I should stop rehearsing. I think I’m making it worse.
My phone pings, telling me that Cedric, my rideshare driver, is two minutes out.
I smooth down my bright orange skirt before dashing out of my shoebox-sized flat.
The moment my feet hit the pavement, the brisk January air smacks me in the face. It’s cold and aggressively London, all grey misty skies that mingle with the savoury tang of curry drifting from the Indian place next door as they prepare for the lunch rush. The street buzzes with the usual chorus of engines, honks, and the hiss of black cabs. I’m tiptoeing near the curb to spot Cedric’s car when a fat raindrop splashes on my forehead.
Come on, London. Not today.
As if summonedby pity, Cedric pulls up in a blue Prius. I pull the backseat door open and dive in.
“Hi,” I say, settling into the seat. “I’m heading to the Regents Football Club training centre.” I already input my destination in the rideshare app, but it doesn’t hurt to double check.
The driver nods, merging into traffic. He’s young, with floppy blond hair and the general air of a uni student who never sleeps. “You work there?”
“First day.” I clear my throat and force a smile.
He nods. “Neat. Who’s your favourite player?”
My brain short-circuits. “Um… Wade Hunter?”
I don't really know the team too well yet, but Wade is my friend Roxy’s husband—and the one who helped me get this job.
Cedric drums his fingers on the wheel. “The captain. Solid choice.”
“Who’s yours?” I ask.
“Wilcott, obviously. Best goalie of his generation.”
“Really?” I blink, genuinely impressed by his knowledge.
Cedric frowns, clearlyunimpressedthat I didn’t know that detail, and focuses back on the road. Meanwhile, I turn my gaze to the window.
I take a deep breath as London slides by, the rows of brick buildings blurring behind the steady drizzle. Nerves creep in, threatening to cripple me again, but I take a deep breath to calm myself. I'll be fine. First-day jitters are normal. It doesn’t matter that I’ve never run such a big account before. If they hired me, they must think I’m good enough.
Since no form of public transportation passes by the training centre, I'll need to get myself a car soon. Using a rideshare every day isn’t a long-term solution, and since I’m determined to rock this job, I’ll need a cute car to take me there and back. I’m eyeing the various vehicles buzzing past, wondering how much they cost, when the traffic becomes as heavy as the falling rain.
Cedric sighs, and I do everything to maintain my positive attitude. We left early enough to account for a bit of traffic. It was to be expected.
But the minutes tick by, and we’ve barely moved. We’re getting dangerously close to “I’m going to be late” territory. Why didn’t I leave earlier?
