I was speechless as the strong hand lifted me with ease from the floor and I found myself looking into the angry face of Rafa.
"Are you okay?" He asked me in English. I desperately untied my tongue to mutter two words.
"Yes thanks."
Blushing terribly I withdrew my hand from his and flinched as I felt it sting. I had a small graze there but that wasn't what I was worried about. I was worried because I had left blood on Rafa's hand.
"Oh my God I'm so sorry!" I apologized. He looked at me like I was a little strange having apologized for something that was obviously not my fault in anyway.
"You should get that looked at." He told me, I could hear the concern in his voice. He cared so much for one he hardly knew. Magical.
"I'll be alright," I smiled bravely at him "Can you show me to the nearest tap?"
"Of course,"
We walked off, my heart thumping in my chest. I knew that I should make my move, I would never have a chance like this again. But what could I say? I could hardly ask him what his name was and I knew everything about him already. Luckily he broke the silence with the obvious question.
"So what are you called?" he asked me
"Sophie Richardson," I replied.
"It's nice to meet you Sophie, I'm Rafael Nadal. My friends call me Rafa."
"Am I your friend?" the foolish question escaped my lips before I could help it. He laughed softly.
"Of course!" he grinned showing those brilliant teeth "Although friends should know more about each other than just their names."
I explained to him about myself, how I came from Oxford and went to University at Christchurch, how I was fluent in Spanish and French and finally my age. I left out my money problems of course. He seemed happy that I spoke Spanish and that I was close to his age. He started to tell me about him.
"I come from Mallorca in Spain and I am...
"26 years old last Moday," I finished for him. "I know, I know everything about you."
"Oh really?" He raised his eyebrows and smiled "What's my full name?"
"Rafael Nadal Parera." I replied in an instant shyly.
"What's my second favourite sport?"
"Football."
The quizzing continued and as we carried on talking I got more confident around him. I realised that he was just a normal guy. I had a lot of fun answering his questions and he seemed to enjoy himself too, teasing me and saying that I knew him better than he did. I actually nearly cried when we reached the taps where I could clean my hands although he stayed by me while I sorted myself out.
"Look, Sophie." He said "I'll be in London in a few weeks, maybe we could meet up there? Just as friends, you know. It'll be nice to see a familiar face."
"Of course!" I almost screamed in joy "I'd absolutely love to see you again. And thank you so much for everything that you have done for me today. It's been perfect for me."
"I've had a good time too. I've got to go now, Toni will be looking for me."
He patted me on the back and jogged off.
"Good luck, I'll be watching you today!" I shouted after him.
Magical.