Tales of the Tournaments

August 7, 2023

Lang Park, Brisbane

"Keep an eye on her, won't you?"

Lauren scowled at Millie as the Captain spoke to their fellow Chelsea teammate, Jess Carter. Jess had tossed her a salute before they headed out on the field, and Lauren went to her place in the midfield feeling resentful that the Skipper had felt her in need of a minder.

More than one, if the way Rachel Daly's eyes stayed on her was any indication. 

"I can behave myself," she muttered under her breath. "I promised I would, didn't I?" 

"You'd better hope so for your own sake, little cub," Rachel said, overhearing the comment as they kept Nigeria in their sights. "Cap won't like it if you cause trouble."

"I'm going to be fine."

So it seemed, for the first half hour and some of the match. Nothing productive was happening in Lauren's opinion, so when the twenty-one-year-old finally got the ball at her feet, she immediately broke loose and made an effort on goal for herself.

It went wide of the post, and she heard Hemp and Russo commenting on it, sneering at her pathetic effort. At least, she thought they were. 

Well, let them. She didn't need them anyway. She'd show them that she could score just as well as they could. So far, they hadn't scored in the match either, so they didn't have to call her efforts stupid or pathetic.

If Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo had known Lauren James was thinking those things, they would have objected. They didn't think LJ's effort was bad at all, it was just her anxiety talking.

In the 41st minute, LJ tried again, and was off target. The ball went out of play, then seemed to be passed back and forth between the two sides for goal kicks that never went anywhere, until the half was over.

Lauren James stalked down the tunnel, bristling. She hadn't got far before Mary Earps, England's keeper, hauled her back by the collar.

"Look little one, you're going to want to fix that attitude before we go back out there."

"But I haven't scored yet, we haven't scored yet," LJ huffed sulkily.

Lauren had spent halftime skulking at the back of the group, drinking her water and half listening as her Chelsea and England captain, Millie Bright, lectured the team about what she expected to see done out there. She scowled in irritation at the implication they hadn't done enough, and as they headed back on, Millie pulled her aside.

"Watch the attitude, little cub, I saw you back there. Keep that up and you'll be subbed off early, got me, LJ?"

"Yes ma'am," LJ sighed, just managing to keep the sass out of her tone as England took the field against Nigeria again. Sarina hadn't made any changes and she didn't want to be the first one.

The second half was passing much the same as the first - a series of free kicks and throw-ins, attempts on goal that never got anywhere, and the frustration was building up, a tightness in Lauren's chest that she couldn't ignore. 

Then, Nigeria made the first substitution of the match. Asisat Oshoala for Ifeoma Onumonu.

Lauren's stomach twisted painfully. Onumonu was good, as it was. But Oshoala was a superstar among Super Falcons, if anyone could threaten England it would be her. They'd have to do something about her before she decided to do something about them.

In the 73rd minute, Mary Earps went down in the goal, from a 'slight knock'. Seeing her go down like that was concerning. But soon she was back on her feet, and England were awarded a corner kick for their trouble.

Rachel Daly was able to create a beautiful header from it, and LJ was hopeful - but it fell short, somehow.

Then Alessia Russo had two chances, both cleared away. Lauren found herself growing more and more frustrated, and threw herself into the thick of things, trying to make a difference for England.

A red haze seemed to descend, blurring her vision as her frustration overwhelmed her. She was spiraling. And then she tangled with Michelle Alozie, bringing the other girl down to the ground.

It had been an accident, to begin with. But she was so angry that she couldn't stop herself, she had to do something to express it.

There were, it was pointed out later, a number of choices even a brat mid-spiral could opt to make. Stamping on one's opponent, cleat down, was definitely not the best of them.

The whistle blared across the field, ringing in LJ's ears, as she struggled to pull herself together. She saw the card flash out - yellow, to begin with, and she started to walk away, but one of her teammates - she wasn't sure which, in this state - grabbed her, getting her attention.

"Wait."

LJ clung to her teammate, eyeing the ref. The decision was being reviewed, and it wasn't long before the yellow card was upgraded.

Straight red. 

Eighty-seventh minute.

If there was any consolation, it was that the second half would be over soon.

Somehow, they were still scoreless.

Lauren reluctantly made her way down the tunnel alone, eyes blurred by tears. She found her place in the locker room and sat down, wrapping her arms around herself.

She could wait just a few minutes. Surely something would happen.

A minute later, Alessia Russo followed her into the locker room, sitting down by Lauren and bringing a damp cloth to rub on the back of her neck.

"Hi, Lessi," LJ said in a small voice.

"Hi yourself," Alessia said, exasperated. "You're in big trouble, brat."

"Uh huh," LJ sniffled, staring at her lap.

"We'll see what Millie has to say when she comes back. For now, if nothing happens soon, they'll be going to extra time without us. They put Chloe in for me so you wouldn't be alone back here."

It seemed that nothing did change, and extra time was called. LJ waited through the first period of extra time with Alessia by her side, trying to focus on her breathing. Alessia had got her a bottle of Ribena, the sweet tang of the blackcurrant juice easing the rawness in her throat. 

In the second period of extra time, Bethany England was subbed on for Lauren Hemp, and the other Lauren came back to the locker room, fetching a warm blanket to wrap around LJ's shoulders. LJ was grateful for her fellow forwards' attention and kindness, and pulled the blanket closer, like a hug. 

"I probably don't deserve it," she said, as her head pounded. Lauren rubbed between her shoulders gently.

"It's up to the Skipper to say what you deserve, not us. But seems like right now you deserve to not be alone, cause it's up to Millie to punish you, not you. Or us." 

At the very end of the second half of extra time, Keira Walsh was brought in by the med staff, with a potential injury. She only stayed long enough to grab her things, before being taken away for evaluation.

LJ looked at Lessi and Lauren. "What if Lucy blames me for Keira getting hurt, Lessi?"

"You weren't there," Alessia said reasonably.

LJ's shoulders slumped. "Exactly." 

It wasn't long before it was clear the match would go to a penalty shootout. It had held scoreless for two hours, and LJ clung to Alessia and Lauren's hands, worried.

"What if it goes wrong and Millie's even more cross with me?"

"Deep breath, LJ," Lauren soothed, rubbing her back. "Don't you believe in our team?"

"Uh huh." LJ nodded, sucking on her lower lip anxiously.

"They'll do it. With or without us."

"Without, obviously," Alessia muttered.

They pulled out LJ's phone and looked at the app tracking the match. It was the next best thing to being allowed to see the shootout for themselves.

🏴 Georgia Stanway ❌  Missed. The girls exchanged worried looks - that wasn't an auspicious start, and LJ knew exactly how Georgia would be feeling. A small part of her was selfishly glad, at least, that she wouldn't be the only one in trouble. But not too happy about it.

🇳🇬 Desire Oparanozie ❌ Another miss. Still no score. 

🏴 Bethany England ⚽  Goal. The three of them didn't scream, or cheer, but a relieved gasp swept through the locker room, cautiously optimistic now that England led 1-0.

🇳🇬 Michelle Alozie ❌ Missed again. LJ felt slightly better - if Alozie was well enough to take a penalty kick, she wasn't really hurt. And at least she'd missed it. Maybe Millie wouldn't be too upset.

🏴 Rachel Daly ⚽ Goal. Now the Lionesses were up 2-0. Of course Nigeria still had a chance to catch up, but LJ was feeling better about their chances.

🇳🇬  Rasheedat Ajibade ⚽ Goal. 2-1.

LJ groaned, hands over her face. "Millie's gonna kill us."

"We haven't lost yet, little one," Alessia said, rubbing the back of LJ's neck. "Have a little faith."

🏴 Alex Greenwood ⚽  Goal. 3-1. A smile bloomed on LJ's face, and she breathed easier. "Guess you're right, Lessi. It has to be over soon, right, we've won?"

"Almost," Alessia agreed. "We have to get one more goal to be sure."

🇳🇬 Christy Ucheibe ⚽  Goal. 3-2. LJ groaned. "Why."

"Because," Lauren said dryly. "Come on, we still have a chance. One goal, that's all we need. They only get one more if we miss, and then if they score we'd go again."

LJ nodded. "I wonder who's going to take it."

They focused on the app to see.

🏴 Chloe Kelly ⚽ Goal 4-2. 

🏴 WINS 🏴  The match has ended.

A wave of relief swept LJ, the girls cheered and laughed, feeling immensely better.

But then reality came crashing down. "If the match is over, that means Millie's coming in here."

"The reporters will want a few words with her and probably Chloe and the other goalscorers, but yeah," Alessia agreed. "After that, the Skipper's coming."

LJ whined miserably. "Hide me."

"Not a chance, little one," Lauren Hemp said, though her tone was pitying rather than scornful. She rubbed LJ's shoulder. "You've earned every bit of what you're going to get. But it doesn't mean Millie doesn't love you."

LJ sputtered at being called little one by someone only thirteen months her elder, but considering the way she'd behaved, she really couldn't object.

"What's going to happen, Lessi?" LJ asked. 

Alessia gave LJ a measured look. "What's going to happen to you for stamping, cleats down, on the back of an opponent?"

LJ stared at her lap. "I, um...it wasn't really on purpose, I just...lost control."

"Then you'll be getting a reminder to keep control. Probably Millie will let you off a little easy, because you'll be getting more after the World Cup," Alessia added. "If you get suspended during England's tournament, you get it again from your club captain at home."

LJ's mouth fell open. "But that's Millie again!"

"Bad luck for you, little one," Lauren said. "That's why behaving well for the Captain goes double when she's your club captain too."

LJ scowled. "It's not fair."

"I know it doesn't seem fair, but you're not the only Chelsea player with her on the squad, and I didn't see any of them acting out," Alessia said reprovingly. "Jess and Niamh were behaving."

LJ sighed. "Sorry," she said meekly.

"I should hope so."

LJ spun to face Millie, eyes wide. She hadn't heard the captain come up to them. "Millie, Captain, I--"

"It was a red card, Lauren," Millie said quietly, looking intently at LJ. "A straight red, after the VAR decision, and it should have been one anyway. Stepping on other players isn't allowed."

LJ swallowed hard.  "I won't do it again."

"I don't know that I can trust that, Lauren Elizabeth James. You promised us you would behave for the rest of the tournament, and you broke that promise practically right away. Now you'll be lucky to even have a rest of the tournament."

LJ took a step back, pressing into Alessia's arms. "What's going to happen?"

Millie turned to the rest of the team, who'd come in with her, and singled out Rachel Daly. "Daly, go get it for me."

The eldest among the forwards, Daly gave Millie a nod and went to look among the captain's things for her implements.

She returned with the longest one, a 58 cm (almost two foot) length of rattan, easily half the length a handle wrapped in red paracord. 

A cane, LJ thought, staring at it. It was small, as canes went, made so that the wielder could put their penitent over their knee, but she was under no illusion it wouldn't sting like fury.

"Do I have to explain to you how this works, kiddo?" Rachel asked, and LJ looked at Rachel.

"I don't want it."

"Tough, brat," Rachel said firmly. "That wasn't what I asked you."

LJ sniffled and shook her head. "But can't it be anything else, Millie?"

"No," Millie said quietly. "You're lucky I'm not soaping your mouth out for lying to me on top of it."

Tears sparkled on LJ's lashes, as Millie propped one foot up on the bench.

"Bare and get over."

LJ froze. "I...I can't...Lessi, please, please help me Lessi..."

Alessia gave LJ a gentle squeeze, then helped her over to stand by Millie, bending her over the Captain's thigh and gently tugging her shorts and knickers to her knees.

"T-that's not what I meant," LJ whimpered tearfully.

"I'm going to be nice to you, Lauren, because I believe you're sorry, and because we do have to handle you back at Chelsea too," Millie said. "You're only going to get four right now. But I want you to count."

Alessia knelt and took LJ's hands, letting her hold on tight as the little cane swished down across the younger forward's bottom cheeks for the first time.

"O-ow," Lauren sobbed when the line of fire spread in its wake. "One, ma'am." 

Millie nodded and gave Lauren three more strokes, the last one across her sit spots, leaving her thighs unmarked. She left just enough time between each for them to be properly counted, LJ sobbing out the number, and when the fourth had been counted off properly, Millie rested a hand gently on Lauren's bottom.

"These are for the lying."

Three brisk handspanks over the cane stripes followed this ominous statement, and LJ sobbed, clinging to Alessia's hands.

"P-please, sorry, sorry Millie!" LJ wept.

"We'll see about that whenever we go home, Lauren Elizabeth," Millie said firmly. "And I don't plan for that to be soon."

They had got through to the quarterfinals, so it wouldn't be all that long, either, Lauren James reflected through her tears. However, she understood what Millie meant. They had better not be going home any sooner than necessary. 

It remained to be seen if or when she got to play again in this Cup. She felt Millie lift her up, tugging her clothes back into place, and fell into her captain's arms with a remorseful sob. 

"I promise I'll try to be good, Millie."

"That's a better promise to make. Let's see you keep it this time."

Now they could look ahead to the quarterfinal match, with this unpleasantness behind them.