c23 - Sad Anne
In the evening game, Vardy sat on the sofa at home, watching Everton play under the cheers of 40,000 home fans at Goodison Park.
His teammates were performing admirably, fighting with spirit and cohesion, but their opponents perhaps assuming Everton was also a relegation contender were just as determined not to lose. The match remained locked at 1-1 as it entered the final ten minutes.
Then, as if scripted, Everton's new signing Tim Cahill stepped up with a thunderous strike in the 88th minute, breaking the deadlock and sending the stadium into raptures. The moment made Vardy's blood boil with excitement how he longed to be sprinting with his teammates on the pitch, celebrating under the floodlights!
Victory was sweet for Everton, but for Vardy, something else stirred within him an opportunity born of unfortunate circumstance.
Darren Bent, Everton's main striker and a Premier League veteran with over 100 goals in his career, had suffered a nasty collision mid-second half. Though Vardy felt genuine regret for Bent's injury, he couldn't ignore the chance it might create.
If Bent were sidelined for any length of time, Vardy knew he might not be called into the starting XI immediately, but making the matchday squad and sitting on the bench would already be a step forward.
---
"Mr. Editor-in-Chief, I dug up something interesting at Everton," Anne said as she handed in her article, eyes gleaming. "This player's journey is incredibly inspirational. I think readers would really connect with it."
But the editor-in-chief barely skimmed the pages before hurling the manuscript aside in irritation.
"I asked you to go to Everton to get real stories, not fluff about nobodies! Vardy? Who even is that?"
Anne bristled. "Jamie Vardy is on loan from Manchester United. Just months ago, he was in non-league football. Doesn't that kind of rise deserve attention?"
The editor snorted and took a loud sip from his coffee before barking, "I said focus on Everton's stars! Like Tim Cahill or Thomas Gravesen not this bloody Vardy, got it?"
With that, he shoved the pages back toward her. "If you can't deliver real news, your internship ends right here. We're not running fairy tales."
Anne left the office heartbroken. She couldn't believe how closed-minded the editor was. Was fame the only thing that made a story worth telling?
She had a feeling a strong, journalistic hunch that Vardy would be a star one day. And when that happened, someone would regret turning this story down.
---
The next day, even though the team was on holiday after the match, Vardy still showed up at Finch Farm, Everton's training ground.
As per the system's guidance, he knew it wouldn't maintain his form for him. Training was non-negotiable if he wanted to stay sharp. He couldn't afford to slack off, not when opportunity was creeping closer.
As he was leaving, pushing his bicycle out of the complex, he ran into Anne. She looked dejected, and it didn't take much for Vardy to understand.
"I submitted your story," she said with a sigh, "but it got rejected. The editor said you're too unknown, that nobody would care."
Vardy shrugged. He didn't mind not making the papers—it was Anne's crushed spirit that hurt him more.
"Don't feel bad," Vardy said gently. "Your editor just can't see the future. I think he'll regret this soon."
Anne looked up. She appreciated the sentiment, but the doubt was still there. "I just... I don't know if I'm cut out to be a reporter. My internship's almost over, and if I can't get approval soon..."
Vardy walked beside her, the setting sun casting long shadows across the pavement.
"I wish I could do something for you," he said quietly. "I might not be enough now, but the day's not far when everyone who doubted me and you will eat their words."
Anne smiled. It was her first real smile all day.
---
Bent's injury, fortunately, wasn't as serious as feared no torn ligaments, just a deep bruise but he would still need a full month of recovery.
For David Moyes, it was a tactical headache. He had envisioned a Bent-Ferguson pairing to lead Everton's attack. Now, with Bent out, the balance was thrown off.
Kevin Campbell, another powerful target man, was Ferguson's like-for-like backup, but pairing two physically dominant yet slower forwards would rob Everton of their dangerous counter-attacks. So Campbell would remain benched.
Among the quicker options, Jamie Vardy was undoubtedly the most promising. But Vardy had only recently joined from United's reserves and was still adjusting to Everton's pressing and zonal marking systems. With no top-flight experience, Moyes wasn't ready to hand him the keys just yet.
That left James McFadden and Luke Chadwick. McFadden, more integrated into the squad, was the safer choice. In team drills that week, McFadden trained with the first XI, partnering Ferguson a cautious but logical pick from Moyes.
Had the weekend opponent been a mid-table side, Moyes might've gambled on Vardy's pace and hunger. But Everton were traveling to Old Trafford to face Manchester United. The reigning champions.
Caution ruled the day. One mistake, one collapse in confidence, and the match could spiral into humiliation. Moyes couldn't risk it.
With the match being an away