Chapter 3: The Long Road Back

Well that was a bit weird I thought to myself as I left the woman id just met and set off for my first physiotherapy session for a while. No, I checked myself, it was actually quite nice. I had no reason to think I would phone her, but for some reason I didn't get rid of her number and just put it in my back pocket; Thing is, for some reason I wanted to keep in touch with her.

Only a few steps from the Costa entrance I got out my phone and found her on twitter using the info she had given me and clicked to follow her. I had a quick look through her timeline and smiled to myself. She certainly didn't think the sun shined out of our backsides that was for sure; I laughed out loud at some of her tweets to me, Nick and Drew and I was annoyed that I hadn't seen them previously

wadebarrett you DO know that some of us females know more about football than you guys don't u #livinginthedarkages

I chuckled to myself, I hadn't even realised I hadn't replied to any women about football before now I must change that. I sent her a couple of semi sarcastic tweets, and I got more in response. Funny that this woman had made me smile more than anyone in the last thirty minutes. Don't get me wrong, I don't fancy her, she isn't my type but her calmness seemed to calm me down, and quell some of the demons in my head. Funnily enough, I wanted to go to physiotherapy now, not just for me but to show her I did have the motivation to get back into the ring. I realised I didn't even know whether she lived in Manchester or not. It could be that she would have left before I even got out of Physiotherapy, and for some reason that made me feel a bit sad.

I got into the car, and set off for my first physio session. It was a car ride that seemed to go on forever. That's when my good mood disappeared; the session went as well as I thought it would go – crap! My physio told me that my lack of work would set me back another few weeks and that my timeline to return, rather than being mid-July would be beginning of August at least.

"Fuck" I thought to myself "that's me missing Money In The Bank" I could have kicked myself; I knew that the bosses were thinking of putting that briefcase on me and now that was out of the window! I really wanted to smack that great oaf Paul in the face, but I knew I had myself to blame for a lot of this, if I hadn't been such a dickhead I would have been well on my way to recovery now.

I thanked the physio after the session finished, and booked to go back again in a couple of days and headed off to drown my sorrows at the nearest pub. Once again i took out my phone to look at my Twitter mentions.

wadebarrett how did it go? Hope you are still smiling

No chance, I thought to myself

D CometoLife it didn't go well look, are you still around? Do you fancy a chat later?

D wadebarrett well, I have to get back by last train, although I could book a cheap hotel I guess

D CometoLife I don't want to be a pain, but could do with a chat; say we meet up around 730? I will buy you dinner if you're lucky!

D wadebarrett haha you're on, though I don't have anything to wear so nowhere posh

D CometoLife I will meet you at Costa seems appropriate I guess

D wadebarrett haha sure does see you then

I smiled to myself as I got into my car. I don't know how she does it but she has a way of making me smile. I felt calmer than I did a few minutes ago, and instead of driving to a bar I drove the short distance home to break the news to my mum

"Going to be beginning of August now before im back in the ring" I told her

"Well that's only about 6 weeks" she reassured me

"I know seems like forever though" I sighed "but in other news I'm heading off out tonight so don't wait up"

"Really? With Sean?" I could sense the disapproval in her voice

"Actually no" I smiled "this may sound weird but with a woman I met at the coffee shop today" To be honest it sounded ridiculous even saying it out loud.

"Really?" my mum smiled and raised her eyebrows

"No it's not like that" I told her, and then proceed to explain what Lisa had told me, her background and how the things she had said to me had made perfect sense and that she made me feel calmer inside. It felt like I could talk to her about anything

"So it's not a date then?" Mum quizzed me again.

"No it's not like that. I would actually like to make it a formal arrangement if things go okay tonight. I can't expect her to sit and listen to my rubbish for nothing" I laughed to myself

"And does she feel the same?" my mum asked. She shot me a look, warning me "Just be sure she knows the ground rules. You don't know whether this woman likes you in another way, so just be careful"

"It will be fine" I promised "that is what she's trained to do"

"Ok then" my mum smiled "I hope it all goes well, and perhaps we may get to meet her in the future"

I laughed at my mum's less than subtle intentions "Mum, you are terrible"

She looked at me sadly "You know that's the first time I've seen you even smile since you got here Stu" I looked at her in surprise "If that's the effect that she has had in one afternoon then you need to keep her close, even if it's just a professional relationship"

"Yeah I know" I admitted "It's funny how something so random has turned into a positive"

I gave my mum a quick hug and went off to get myself sorted for the evening; I actually felt a bit nervous, I don't fancy her I told myself again. I just felt comfortable around her and that was a miracle by itself; I did wonder once or twice how she feels about me, but I put that thought out my head as I got into the shower, washed myself down and then put on my favourite jeans and shirt and splashed on some after shave. I looked at myself in the mirror. I actually looked like Stu tonight. Not some half crazed man who didn't give a shit about life. Perhaps the road back wasn't as long as I thought it was going to be.

I looked at my watch, seven pm. time to get out of here I thought and I almost ran down the stairs. I grabbed my keys and was about to walk out the door when my mum called me from the kitchen doorway.

"Hm. professional relationship eh?" she chuckled "I have not seen you this enthusiastic since school prom Stu"

"Sh mum" I smiled at her "It isn't like that I promise" I quickly put on my coat and looked up to find her laughing at me and I couldn't help but smile. I gave her a quick hug goodbye.

"See you later" I told her, and walked out the door to meet the woman who had had such a strange effect on me in such a short space of time.