Page 109 of Playing the Game

Jonas made a face which only made Tito laugh harder.

“Are you happy?” Noah asked.

“I was. Not so much now. Everything’s up in the air.”

Tito frowned. “Maybe not after Sunday. We’ll have a PlayStation marathon at mine on Saturday night to take your mind off it.”

“I can’t,” Noah said. “I’m away Saturday night and Sunday.”

“Another mysterious trip?” Tito observed.

“Hardly. I’m going to see Ashley.”

Ashley was Noah’s ex-landlady when he’d been an under-18 player. He spoke about her very affectionately.

“Sorry, Jonas. I’d be there if I could,” Noah said.

Jonas squeezed Noah’s arm. “Don’t sweat it. I can annihilate Lopes single-handed.”

Tito playfully shoved him and went to sit back down. “You wish.”

Jonas took a seat next to him, followed by Noah.

“I don’t know if any of this is going to work out, you know,” he said.

“This?” Noah asked.

“Me at Brockton. I can’t face playing with him if he’s not mine.”

Tito rubbed his chin. “The season isn’t even halfway through. It would be the end of your career if you bail now.”

Jonas frowned. “I suppose you’re right. Fuck. I’m getting life advice from Tito Lopes.”

Tito threw his arm round him. “Aren’t you lucky?”

The crowd roared obscenities at each other as Jonas and Adam met in the centre of the pitch. It was halfway through the second half and both teams had one goal apiece after an amazing score from Colin.

Since then Canonbury’s defence had been like a stone wall. Try as they might, no Brockton player got to the goal.

Jonas glanced at Ingvar, who held the line for Brockton. A determined Noah who’d been playing like a dream next to him.

“Stay close to me,” Adam muttered. “Keep it tight.”

The ball sailed over from Alain. Jonas took control and began his run. Almost immediately two Canonbury defenders were there. He passed it short to Adam who made use of the space to push forward.

In preparation, Jonas forced his way through the opponents to a clear spot.

Before Adam passed, Shaun Riggs body-slammed him. Adam hit the deck with a thud where he remained motionless. Jonas darted forward.

“Are you okay?”

Adam shifted and slowly got to his feet.

“I’m fine,” he said. “Honestly.”

Jonas turned to a clearly amused Shaun. “You are fucking ridiculous,” he shouted.

“Awww don’t tell me you’re shagging one of them now, Williams,” Shaun said.