match, Todd didn’t get to see the rest of the players before the day was over. Parents and kids and youths waited around in disorganized knots, fingers crossed as announcers called out the names and numbers of those selected to return the following month.
The last thing Todd remembered about that day was having his name called out, his father’s gripping hugs, and cheeks that ended up hurting because he couldn’t stop smiling.
To this very day, Todd thought about that other kid. Even though he didn’t get to know his name, and the only thing he could remember about him was his finely shaven, snowy-blonde hair, Todd still wondered where he’d be now, if he got picked too and carried on with those tournaments, where he came from, and why they seemed to shine together on that field.
For despite being one of the chosen to return the following month, Todd never went back to that tournament. One week later, his father was dead.
Todd sighed, the last proper day he’d spent with his father had been a special one, one that would never leave him….
Seeing acres of grass around them, it was clear Dixon had left the city behind and was heading into Cheshire. There were three teams Todd knew of in this county, none of them higher than the third division. His spirits dwindled, but only a little. Right now he imagined arriving at a field full of players, all competing and showing off their skills to the local club bosses, just like that tournament day all those years ago. Yeah, today would be special, and that thought revved his heart.
Twenty minutes later, Dixon turned off a main road onto a quiet lane, lined with thick hedges. The lane ended at the entrance to a large car park.
“We’re here,” Dixon said as he found a spot and killed the engine.
Todd looked around, but saw nothing other than a low-lying building surrounded by open fields. In one field, a game was in play, and for a moment his heart sailed as he saw those running legs and heard the distant shouts. But within seconds his heart sank again. It was a game of rugby, not football.
Still puzzled, he left the car with Dixon. Cold air gripped his face. Only one other field was occupied, but there was no game going on, no spectators, no whistles blowing, and no ball in the air. Only three guys jogged back and forth in the center of the field.
“This is the Cheshire County Health Club,” Dixon remarked as they walked towards the entrance of the low, grey building. “Go in and tell reception that you’re here for the trial, they’ll know what you mean and they’ll tell you where to go.” He pointed to the field where the three guys jogged. “I’ll be waiting there for you.”
Todd frowned but nodded. Perhaps it was a small trial, involving only a select few. Although not what he expected, he felt a warm glow as he made his way to the entrance of the health club.
After telling the receptionist he was here for the trial, she nodded politely and asked him to follow her through a door on the left that said ‘staff only’.
With a raised head, he followed her through the doors. No public allowed down here, only those with some official duty to attend. She led him down the corridor to a door with a sign: ‘reserved changing’ pinned to it.
“You can change here. There’s an exit to the field just by the showers.” She smiled briefly, walked back down the corridor, and disappeared through the door.
Todd took a deep breath, wondering if he was about to meet an entire team of players on the other side of the door. He could be just one of many attending today’s trial, so he prepared himself for a room full of blank faces and nervous eyes.
Inside, he found nothing but a small space with empty benches and unused clothes hangers. A sweet smell of pine, and a chilled feel to the air told him the room hadn’t been used much today.
There was a single toilet, and a small four-man shower room with white tiled walls that seemed to sparkle. Even the silence
The last thing Todd remembered about that day was having his name called out, his father’s gripping hugs, and cheeks that ended up hurting because he couldn’t stop smiling.
To this very day, Todd thought about that other kid. Even though he didn’t get to know his name, and the only thing he could remember about him was his finely shaven, snowy-blonde hair, Todd still wondered where he’d be now, if he got picked too and carried on with those tournaments, where he came from, and why they seemed to shine together on that field.
For despite being one of the chosen to return the following month, Todd never went back to that tournament. One week later, his father was dead.
Todd sighed, the last proper day he’d spent with his father had been a special one, one that would never leave him….
Seeing acres of grass around them, it was clear Dixon had left the city behind and was heading into Cheshire. There were three teams Todd knew of in this county, none of them higher than the third division. His spirits dwindled, but only a little. Right now he imagined arriving at a field full of players, all competing and showing off their skills to the local club bosses, just like that tournament day all those years ago. Yeah, today would be special, and that thought revved his heart.
Twenty minutes later, Dixon turned off a main road onto a quiet lane, lined with thick hedges. The lane ended at the entrance to a large car park.
“We’re here,” Dixon said as he found a spot and killed the engine.
Todd looked around, but saw nothing other than a low-lying building surrounded by open fields. In one field, a game was in play, and for a moment his heart sailed as he saw those running legs and heard the distant shouts. But within seconds his heart sank again. It was a game of rugby, not football.
Still puzzled, he left the car with Dixon. Cold air gripped his face. Only one other field was occupied, but there was no game going on, no spectators, no whistles blowing, and no ball in the air. Only three guys jogged back and forth in the center of the field.
“This is the Cheshire County Health Club,” Dixon remarked as they walked towards the entrance of the low, grey building. “Go in and tell reception that you’re here for the trial, they’ll know what you mean and they’ll tell you where to go.” He pointed to the field where the three guys jogged. “I’ll be waiting there for you.”
Todd frowned but nodded. Perhaps it was a small trial, involving only a select few. Although not what he expected, he felt a warm glow as he made his way to the entrance of the health club.
After telling the receptionist he was here for the trial, she nodded politely and asked him to follow her through a door on the left that said ‘staff only’.
With a raised head, he followed her through the doors. No public allowed down here, only those with some official duty to attend. She led him down the corridor to a door with a sign: ‘reserved changing’ pinned to it.
“You can change here. There’s an exit to the field just by the showers.” She smiled briefly, walked back down the corridor, and disappeared through the door.
Todd took a deep breath, wondering if he was about to meet an entire team of players on the other side of the door. He could be just one of many attending today’s trial, so he prepared himself for a room full of blank faces and nervous eyes.
Inside, he found nothing but a small space with empty benches and unused clothes hangers. A sweet smell of pine, and a chilled feel to the air told him the room hadn’t been used much today.
There was a single toilet, and a small four-man shower room with white tiled walls that seemed to sparkle. Even the silence