Charlie's POV:
Nana chuckled at my question and just showed me her bag that had a few good snacks like Pringles which were my favourite crisps and I spotted a box of strawberries cut up. I immediately knew they were for Ellie, she loved strawberries and would eat them all day everyday if she could. "Fantastic selection Nana", I beamed up at her. She just shook her head chuckling before turning to see the team walking off the pitch and into the tunnel.
I waved over at Mum and Keira as they headed into the tunnel. Nana turned to me and asked me "where's Ellie's headphones ?", I grabbed my backpack and took out the headphones and handed them to Nana. I watched as she carefully put them over Ellie's ears, helping to block out the noise.
Soon enough both teams came out and the anthems started. I stood proudly with my family and sang along. I took my seat between Nana and Aunt Sophie. Nana held Ellie in her lap. I turned when I felt a small hand tap me. I looked down to see Ellie grinning up at me. "Play", she squealed, clapping her hands. I shook my head and tried to explain to her that we couldn't play now, because we were watching Mum and Kei play. Ellie didn't seem to understand and started to get sad. I glanced over to see the match had begun, and then looked back at Ellie who was looking at me close to tears. "In a little while we can play", I said to her, having to lift the headphones off her so she could hear me, before putting them back on. My reply didn't seem to cheer her up any bit and tears started to fall. "Nana, Ellie's crying", I nudged Nana. She looked down and tried to comfort Ellie, who had now started crying. "What happened ?", Nana asked, still comforting Ellie. "She wanted to play but I told her we couldn't because we're watching Mum and Kei play, and then I suggested we would play in a little while and that didn't seem to help", I explained. "It's ok Charlie, it's not your fault", Nana told me before she turned to Sophie and said "I'm gonna take Ellie on a little walk, try to calm her down", Sophie nodded her head, and Nana carefully stood up and started making her way up the steps away from the game. I turned back to the game and just caught Ellen being fouled in the box. "That's a pen !", my Uncle Jorge yelled. I stood up and watched as the referee signalled a penalty. I knew G would take it, and watched as she stood ready to take the penalty. Of course she scored and the whole stadium roared. Not long after G took the penalty Norway made a mistake which then Meado was able to pass a low ball to Hempo who tapped in another goal. But the whole stadium's celebrations were paused when VAR was used to check if the play was offside. I stood up with my fingers crossed hoping it wasn't. I cheered along with everyone else when VAR showed it wasn't. After that Norway tried to bounce back into the game and even won a few corners but nothing came from them. Ellen kept hitting close to the net but after many tried she eventually got her goal. Everyone roared because it was her 51st goal for England. Meado grabbed her 2nd goal of the tournament not long after Ellen's goal. The team was on fire when Meado scored another goal just over 4 minutes later. Just before half-time Ellen got another goal.
As the team headed inside I waved over at Mum excitedly. She looked over at me and grinned, before jogging into the tunnel. At halftime I turned to Nana and asked "can I have a snack ?", Nana chuckled and opened her bag and gave me some Pringles and a bottle of water. I sat next to my Uncle Jorge while I munched on my Pringles and drank my water. Nana turned to me and said "look who's over there", pointing her finger over to a figure that looked quite familiar. I squinted my eyes before they came more into view and then squealed and jumping up from my seat to run over to Jordan. "You're here", I exclaimed loudly in her ear, as she let me down. "I wouldn't miss it for the world", Jordan grinned down at me, before nudging me back to my seat. Jordan sat next to me and struck up a conversation with Nana, who was rocking Ellie back and forth as she slowly fell asleep.
Soon enough the teams came back onto the pitch and the second half begun. Lessi came on for Ellen and in the 67th minute she scored from a header. The team were playing with Norway, dancing around the box and firing shot after shot. Alex came on and nearly got the 8th goal of the night but unfortunately she hit the crossbar. I held tightly onto the barrier as Mum took a shot at goal and I watched as it soared high before just hitting the crossbar. I sighed slightly and Jordan turned to me and said "they'll get another goal, I can feel it", I nodded my head hoping she was right. And Jordan was right when in the 81st minute Meado scored her first hat-trick of the tournament, securing the team in the last 8 of the tournament.
I cheered when the full time whistle blew. Jumping up and down with Jordan beside me, I didn't notice Mum and Tooney coming over. It was only when I heard Tooney say "glad to see you're sporting me tonight", that I noticed they were here. I turned around and wrapped my arms around her shoulder and she hoisted me over the barrier in the process. Mum leaned over to give the family hugs, before taking Ellie from Nana. Mum took Ellie's hoodie off to see that Ellie was obviously wearing Lessi's jersey. Mum grinned over at me wearing Tooney's and then grabbed my backpack from Nana and we bid them all a goodbye. I jumped onto Tooney's back, bagging myself a piggy back and Mum walked beside us with Ellie in her arms, until Ellie started wriggling when she saw Keira. Mum let her down and watched carefully as she ran over to Keira. I got down from Tooney's back and raced over to Keira. As I stood with Keira, Leah and G, I noticed Mum talking to 3 Norwegian players. I recognised one of them as Ada Hegerberg, who played with Mum in Lyon. Keira saw me glancing over at Mum and leaned down to tell me "that's Caroline Graham Hansen and Ingrid Engen, they both play for Barcelona". "Oh", I replied. I looked up at Keira and quietly asked "is Mum gonna play with them ?", Keira wrapped an arm around my shoulders and replied quietly back "maybe", I nodded my head and then leaned against Keira. I looked back over at Mum to see her walking towards us with Caroline and Ingrid following. I stayed close to Keira, nervous about meeting the two players. "Good game", Ingrid told Keira, shaking her hand as did Caroline. Ingrid looked down at me and smiled gently. Suddenly Ellie came crashing into Mums legs after being chased my G. Mum picked her up and then introduced both of us to Ingrid and Caroline. Mum and Keira chatted to the two of them while I stood in between Mum and Keira, occasionally glancing up at the 4 of them talking. It was soon time for us all to head to the changing rooms. Ingrid and Caroline said goodbye as we split ways at the changing rooms. I followed Keira into the changing room and headed to her locker. I sat down in her cubby as she gathered up her stuff to grab a quick shower. "You want my phone ?", she asked me, holding out her phone. I grinned and immediately nodded my head. I reached out and took her phone, she unlocked it for me, so that I could play games on her phone as she got in the shower. While Keira was in the shower Mum came over with Ellie wriggling in her arms. She stood in front of me and then asked "is Kei in the shower already ?", I nodded my head not looking up at her as I was concentrated on the game. Mum chuckled at my concentration, before heading over to find someone to look after Ellie while she showered.
Eventually after what felt like years everyone was ready to get back on the bus. I was wrecked and I hadn't even played a minute of football. I looked up at Mum and asked her "Mum can you carry me, I'm tired", Mum looked around before nodding and fixing her bags and then picking me up. I cuddled into her chest and Mum started walking out. We walked out of the stadium and onto the bus. Mum sat down next to the window and not long after Kei sat down next to us with Ellie in her arms. Keira leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead and whispered "night Charlie, I love you", "I love you too Mum", I replied back, before cuddling closer to Mum. I saw Keira smile widely at my reply and then Mum combed her fingers through my hair, giving me a head massage and I slowly fell asleep.
