Maia rattled it off.
“Right, the information I’m sending covers everything, but please call me on this number if you have questions.”
“Thank you,” Maia said.“Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, Maia.Keep playing well, and your chances of making the team are excellent.”
“Thanks,” Maia repeated.
With a resolute click, the call ended, leaving Maia holding her phone.Her dreams were within reach as long as she didn’t mess up the training camp.
“Maia?”Henry appeared, concern on his usually stoic face.“Maia, what’s wrong?”
She discovered her eyes brimmed with tears.With a shaky laugh, she knuckled them away.“Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, sweetheart.”He sat beside her and hugged her to his side.“Tell me what’s wrong.I’ll help if I can.”
She turned a teary smile on him.“I don’t know why I’m crying because it’s awesome news.A Black Ferns selector called.They’re holding a training camp with forty players, and they’ve picked me to attend.The selector assured me that if I continued to play well, I would have an excellent chance of making the team.”
Henry set her on his knee.He nuzzled her neck and held her tighter for an instant.“Maia, that’s fantastic, although seeing you play, I had no doubts.You deserve this chance.Did any of your teammates get chosen, or are you the only one?”
“I don’t know.”She wriggled, repositioning herself so she could see his face.“I nearly let it go to voicemail because I didn’t recognize the number.All I did was listen and say thank you.I didn’t ask about the selections.We have an extra training session tomorrow.I guess I’ll hear then.”
Henry stood, setting her on her feet.“Megan and London have finished their tasks and want you to join them for a drink.What do you say?”
“One drink won’t hurt,” Maia said with a grin.
“Two drinks would be okay,” Henry said, “because we’re eating too.”
Maia let Henry lead her down the passage to the communal rooms.
“Yay, Maia!”London said.“How did your game go today?I know your last training run went well because Levi is still excited.He told us you’re the best and did extra training with them because they behaved well.Levi’s exact words.”
Maia laughed.“They’re good kids.Sometimes boisterous, but if that happens, I just up the speed, which usually quietens them down.”
Henry vanished into the kitchen, only to reappear with champagne and flutes.
“Ooh, champagne,” Megan said, her blue eyes twinkling.
“What’s the occasion?”London asked.
“Maia has news.I’ll let her tell you while I pour the drinks.”
Gerard and Jacey walked into the lounge, each carrying a plate of snacks.Levi chased after them, holding a can of soda.Two white puppies raced after Levi, both in excellent health after their ordeal.
“Don’t shake the can,” Megan said.“Put your drink here.Maia has exciting news.”
Levi slid onto a chair.“Sit,” he told the puppies in a firm voice.They sat, and he petted them, murmuring soft words of praise.
“What’s the news?”London asked.
Maia caught the roll of Henry’s eyes when London and Megan checked her left hand for a ring.She waved it in front of them so they could see her naked fingers.
“Bother,” London said.“There goes my bet.”
“You’re betting on…” Maia shook her head.“Never mind.”
“What’s your news?”Gerard asked as he handed around champagne flutes.
