c20 - The Beautiful Reporter
As soon as Vardy arrived at the training ground, he noticed a small group of reporters waiting at the entrance. Everton might not be a football giant like Manchester United or Liverpool, but as a Premier League club, it still commanded media attention.
Every player had their favorite journalists, stopping for quick chats and exchanging lighthearted jokes. Others, less fond of the media, simply nodded and walked past without engaging.
However, amidst the usual press pack, Vardy spotted an anomaly—a stunning young woman with golden blonde hair, an elegant figure, and a strikingly beautiful face. She stood out in the crowd of grizzled sports reporters, looking more like a model than a journalist.
She was clearly a reporter, though, as she was persistently chasing after Thomas Gravesen for an interview. The Danish midfielder, however, was unmoved by her charm, offering nothing more than a polite wave before heading into the training facility.
Vardy was impressed. He gave Gravesen a silent thumbs-up. What a real man! Rejecting a beauty like that? He had to respect the discipline.
But what Vardy found even more surprising was that no Everton player was willing to grant her an interview. One after another, they ignored her as if she didn't exist.
What is wrong with these guys? he thought. Are they blind?
What Vardy didn't realize was that it wasn't about a lack of interest. It was about avoiding trouble. A beautiful female journalist could be dangerous—one wrong word, one poorly phrased quote, and it could be twisted into controversy. The experienced players knew this all too well.
Vardy, however, was blissfully unaware of this unwritten rule.
As he walked past the entrance, he overheard some of the senior male reporters mocking the young woman.
"Girls shouldn't be out here pretending to be sports journalists," one sneered. "Even if you wait here all day, no one's going to talk to you."
"You might be with The Liverpool Echo, but that won't help you."
The woman, clearly frustrated, clenched her fists, her chest rising and falling with indignation. She looked like she wanted to throw her high-heeled shoe at the nearest loudmouth.
Her name was Anne, an intern at The Liverpool Echo. This wasn't supposed to be her assignment—she was only covering Everton temporarily because the regular reporter was on vacation. She had assumed her looks would make interviews easy. Instead, she was finding it to be a serious disadvantage.
Every player she approached either brushed her off or stared at her in a way that made her uncomfortable before walking away without answering a single question.
Vardy had already entered the training ground when the reporters finally noticed him, but they paid him no attention. He was young and unknown—just another teenager at a club like Everton. Hardly worth their time.
Anne, however, saw things differently.
She studied Vardy carefully. He was carrying his training gear and heading straight into the club's facilities. He wasn't a staff member, that much was clear.
That meant one thing—he was a first-team player.
Seizing her chance, she stepped forward and blocked his path.
Behind her, the older reporters chuckled and whispered to each other.
"Our pretty little friend must be getting desperate if she's resorting to interviewing some random kid."
"She should be careful. A boy that young won't have any experience…"
"Does she really think this kid plays for Everton? What a joke! Even if he does, does she even know who he is?"
Anne ignored them. She fixed her eyes on Vardy and spoke with determination.
"Hello, I'm Anne, a reporter for The Liverpool Echo. Are you an Everton player? Would you be willing to give me an interview?"
Vardy saw the sincerity in her eyes. Unlike the other reporters, she wasn't mocking him or looking down on him.
He smiled.
"Yes, I'm an Everton player. My name is Jamie Vardy. I'd be happy to do an interview, but I can't right now—I'll be late for training. If you don't mind, we can set up another time."
Anne's face lit up with excitement. She hadn't expected much when she approached him, but now, not only had she confirmed he was a player, but she had also secured an interview.
"That would be amazing! I'll wait for you here after training. Can I take you out to dinner tonight?"
Vardy chuckled. "Sure, sounds good."
With that, he turned and walked into the locker room, waving back at her as he disappeared inside.
Anne was left standing there, beaming with excitement.
The other reporters, who had been snickering moments ago, were suddenly stunned.
"Wait, that kid is Jamie Vardy? The one Manchester United loaned to Everton?"
"He looks like a teenager!"
"That's some ridiculous luck. She just pulled that interview out of nowhere."
"Well, whatever. It's not like he's an important player. He probably won't even make the starting lineup."
Anne heard their dismissive comments but paid no attention.
Laugh all you want. Once I get my interview, we'll see who has the last laugh.