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It was the day of the final. Lucy was so nervous she could hardly stand still. If St Jude’s won the cup it would cement Dylan’s place in the school, and help put the events of the past week behind them for good.

She was on the sideline with Jenny, Sarah and Darren. Billy and Ollie stood apart, Billy telling Ollie who all the players were and what positions they played. Shannon and Kelly werea little away from them, chatting and staring at their phones.

‘I see you gave Kelly back her phone,’ Jenny noted.

Lucy sighed. ‘She’s been so unhappy and you, Sarah, Dylan and even Dad told me to give her a break, so I caved and gave it back to her. She’s a good kid and I do realize that she did what she did for the right reasons. We all need to move on.’

‘Good for you.’ Jenny squeezed herarm. ‘She still looks miserable, though. I’ll try to get a chat with her later, see how she’s doing.’

‘How are things with you and Frank?’ Darren asked. ‘Has his mad ex been around to throw any more drink over you or torch the place?’

Jenny smiled. ‘No – thanks for asking, though, Darren. Actually, Frank has decided to move out.’

‘Why?’ Darren asked.

‘He said I was impossible to live with.’Jenny feigned shock.

‘What tipped him over the edge?’ Sarah grinned. ‘The constant cleaning? The lack of food? The unwashed shirts?’

‘All of those and the lack of sex, my constant “headaches” and my nagging.’

‘Sounds like an average day in our house.’ Darren laughed, as Sarah thumped his arm.

‘Is he really going?’ Lucy asked.

‘Yes, big sister, he is and, yes, I am going to avoid falling formarried men in the future. They are a lot less attractive when their smelly socks and jocks are all over your flat and they stink out your toilet.’

‘Sounds familiar.’ Sarah pinched Darren.

‘So he goes tomorrow,’ Jenny said, ‘and I’m going to clean my place from top to bottom and luxuriate in being alone. If you don’t see me for a few days, I’m just in blissful solitude!’

‘Good for you,’ Lucysaid.

‘I’ve realized I need to be with someone who has their own place, is completely independent and only comes over when it suits me.’

‘Good luck with finding him.’ Sarah laughed.

‘Damien was like that,’ Lucy noted.

‘So why the hell did you break up with him?’ Darren asked.

‘I was wrong about him. He’s perfect,’ Jenny said.

‘Call him,’ Sarah urged.

‘Don’t be silly. It’s over. I’m fineabout it,’ Lucy lied. She missed him and his company, the sex and the attention.

‘Sssh, you lot, no more chat. The match is about to start. We need to concentrate,’ Billy said.

Lucy crossed her fingers and the whistle blew. There was a big crowd at the match: St Jude’s were playing the favourites, Celtic United. They were a very strong club.

Dylan bounced up and down on his toes and took offwith the ball, but he was tackled by a big defender. The ball whizzed past as each team defended and attacked in equalmeasure. There was nothing in it: the teams were evenly matched.

Dylan struck the ball well, but the goalie saved it. A minute later, the striker on the other team belted a ball towards the St Jude’s goal, but it hit the crossbar. On it went, up and down, until half-time.

‘Jesus,my heart,’ Billy said. ‘This is some game.’