I often wonder what I would have said if I could have gone back to that moment. Ripped the veil between past and present to tell her exactly how right she was about me. I would start with I’m sorry. So very, very sorry. Because the truth is, there were many things I should have done and many sentences I should have said.

It strikes me as funny, so I laugh once, an odd sort of grating, gravelly chuckle. Everyone else in the canteen is frozen—mouths halfway open, holding their breath, wide eyes staring. Clocks tick unnervingly; the sharp sound of seconds snapping away.

We were in the locker room getting ready when they came in with their offer. The team owner and three suits from the TV network. The first one said: “Triple the amount of your salary this season. Waiting for each of you in offshore accounts.” “Tax free,” said the second guy, “tax free.” All of us changing at our lockers turned to listen.