Another ball careened off the pitch close to Tori, who ran after it. Fin followed in case his goddaughter wanted to kick it back onto the field and he’d be there to chase after it when it inevitably went in a completely different direction than intended. A little girl, maybe about five or six, who he’d noticed a couple of times avidly watching the training session from the sideline, also took off after the ball.
Tori, recognising that the girl would reach the ball much faster than she would—no flies on that kid—stopped and waited at the sideline. Fin pulled up beside her and waited too.
An older man who was clearly here with the girl yelled, ‘Well done, sweetie,’ as she scooped it up mid-run before sprinting back with it tucked under her arm, her frizzy curls, contained in a high ponytail, bouncing behind her.
Fin smiled at the girl as she pulled up beside the older man. ‘Thanks,’ he said and gestured for her to throw him the ball.
Her smile dimmed and she drew closer to the man Fin assumed was her grandfather.
The man placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. ‘Give him the ball, love,’ he urged.
The girl glanced at the field, where the kids were standing around waiting for the ball. Or some of them were, anyway. Three were engaged in a game of tiggy. One was chasing after a butterfly. Another was attempting a headstand. She glanced back at Fin with solemn brown eyes.
‘You’re a fast runner,’ he said, because she was and he was fucked if he knew what the etiquette was for getting a ball off a reluctant kid.
Before the man could say anything, Tori was filling in the blanks. ‘That’s Winnie. She’s new. She doesn’t talk.’
Oh. Tori’s statement was typically matter-of-fact and Fin glanced at the older man for confirmation. He gave a slight nod. ‘We sign.’
Fin wasn’t sure if that meant Winnie was deaf or there was something else at play, but finally, for the first time since setting foot on the pitch, Findidn’tfeel out of his depth. He’d grown up signing, mastering AUSLAN at his grandmother’s lap. It had been over a decade since he’d used it but he still remembered plenty.
‘Hi, Winnie.’ Fin spoke as he signed. ‘My name is Fin.’
The little girl’s eyes grew large. She didn’t respond but he’d definitely made an impact. Her gaze wandered back to the field. It was filled with such longing it almost took Fin’s breath away. Addressing her directly, he spoke and signed, ‘How old are you?’
There was still no response so the older man did both verbally and with his fingers. ‘She’s five.’ He proffered his hand. ‘I’m Gordon Harris, Winnie’s grandfather.’
Fin shook the older man’s hand before returning his attention to the girl, whose gaze was still fixed on the field. He signed as he spoke to her. ‘Would you like to join the team?’
It was an impulsive offer but why not? They were down a player and at least she could run and pick up the ball without falling over.
Gordon beamed. ‘How awesome is that, Winnie?’ he signed.
Winnie didn’t answer. She just shook her head and handed the ball back to Tori. Fin signed, ‘Thank you,’ but she shyly tucked her face against her grandfather’s leg.
‘You don’t have to,’ Fin assured as he spoke and signed, keeping his gaze on Winnie, who was peeking out at him from under her frizzy fringe. ‘You can just watch if you want. Hope to see you again soon.’
Fin gave one last smile and started to turn away. Gordon’s, ‘Thanks,’ stopped him.
‘I meant it.’ Fin nodded at the older man. ‘We need another player and she’s the right age group. Even if she only wants to join in the training, she’s welcome.’
He didn’t know Winnie’s story, but being new anywhere could be tough enough without the added communication barrier. And he could see she was dying to get on the field.
‘Thanks,’ Gordon said again.
‘You know how to sign?’ Tori said as they walked back to the restless band of kids hovering in the middle.
‘Sure do. So does your daddy.’
Tori glanced up at him, squinting into the afternoon sunshine. ‘Really?’
‘Yup.’
Donny had never been as good as Fin, who had grown up in the same house as his grandmother, but along with all the Ballyshannon cousins, Donny had been able to sign to some degree or other.
‘I’m going to ask him to teach me and Nellie so we can talk to Winnie too,’ Tori declared.
Fin nodded, his heart swelling with pride at the five-year-old’s generosity of spirit. Donny’s kids might have inherited his two left feet but they were such dear, kind little girls, which spoke volumes about how they were being raised.
