"So what are we doing for this year's activity then?" I remember asking a few months ago, responses were mixed; general census seemed to be bowling or a meal.
I'd suggested Ice Skating, Mickey and Kerry were the only ones really interested, however everyone had agreed to meet at Ealing Ice Rink.
Slipping on my boots I headed inside to see what was happening
"Hey Courageous Heart, get yo ass on da ice!" Junior captain Brave yelled seeing me enter the rink
Breaking into a run I joined the ice and glided to join the Ealing Hearts at the other end of the rink
"Hey Brave, it wasn't my weekend to captain the team was it?"
"Nah, you're next weekend, what you doing here then?" She paused before yelling "Play on Hearts!"
"Work annual outing, I've persuaded them all to come skating"
"I'm detecting a hint of something more, aren't I?"
"You never fail to amaze me, there is something more" I sighed
You can't keep a secret from me Claire, spill the beans"
"Alright, I'm looking to impress a guy I work with" I looked at Mel, we rarely used first names usually preferring squad names, twelve of us in total, Mel was junior captain Brave Heart, I was senior captain Courageous Heart, Sally was Strong Heart, Mica was Pure Heart, Jo was Thunder Heart, Liz was Love Heart, Lea was Broken Heart, Jamie was Diamond Heart, Paula was Sweet Heart, Beth was True Heart, Megan was Mystic Heart and Hazel was Angel Heart, we all used the last name Heart as we were the Ealing Hearts.
"Alright Hearts split, Courageous will captain one side I'll take the other"
I selected a hockey stick and grabbed a hat and glided down to join the half I was captaining.
Half an hour later, we were winning 13-12 when Brave called to me:
"I take it that's your colleagues?"
"That's them alright" I yelled back "That's the guy I like" I glided over to Mel just in case John could hear us.
I smashed the puck back towards the goal, I held my breath as it weaved between defenders before slamming into the back of the net, still celebrating I cut a path towards John and the others who were watching the game, pulling off my helmet and shaking my hair loose I spoke;
"Waiting for me?"
"What are you doing here?" Mickey asked incredulously
"Erm…Working?" I grinned at John and Kerry "John's not the only one to work out, us girls need to keep in shape too"
"You do realise you're likely to be the only one that can skate don't you?"
"Yep, gonna have so much fun watching you lot" I laughed
"Courageous, your way!" Brave yelled before chasing the fast approaching puck
Hooking the puck with the end of my stick I steered it down the ice
"How are we doing?" I called to Jo
"Loosing 15-13"
"Damn!" I cursed weaving in between the others on my team
"Courageous, get your bloody helmet on!" Brave bellowed at me
"Yeah yeah, keep your hat on" I poked my tongue out at her "Hattie will get you kitted out" I called to John and the others as I passed them
"Do we need a helmet and shin pads?" Mickey asked
"Unless you want to join my team, no dipstick" Pulling on my hat I tackled Liz hard, winning the puck back I smashed it home
Celebrating wildly, Brave called it a day
"Can a couple of defenders give me a run through, I'm not quite on form"
"Who's up for 6 on 1?" Brave called, Lea, Mica, Sally, Jamie, Jo and Brave said they'd put me through my paces
"Give me ten minutes and I'll be with you guys, just need some practice" I said to John and the others.
I weaved up and down the ice, playing hard and fast, I knew if I was tackled hard I'd hit the ice hard but it was all part of learning to play better.
I sliced the puck home, smiling in celebration I turned to see Jo and Mel stood talking to John
"Oi!" I roared "Thought we were playing?"
"Keep your hat on boss"
I could see John thinking 'boss' what the hell?
