I refined this theory somewhat as an adult, it is in my opinion not lack of brains that dictates your ability but if the celebrity professionals are anything to go by it is more a question of location. I am simply handicapped due to having my brains situated between my ears and thus too far away from my feet. However it appears that to be really successful at football there is a need to have them somewhat lower in your anatomy and hence closer to your feet as many a kiss and tell glamour girl will testify in the tabloid media.
American football however is very confusing; there seem to be a lot of rules none of which actually overtly have anything to do with what is taking place on the field. It would seem a PhD is required simply to be able to follow what is going on.
Hank feigned interest in these theories as I relayed them to him; we were sitting in the university bar celebrating the Rangers victory.
‘So, how you feeling buddy?’ he asked.
‘A little drunk,’ I said counting the empty beer bottles in front of us.
‘Well you’ve got all weekend to sober up before your meeting on Monday.’
His comment reminded me that Stacy would also be in a meeting of her own on Monday, without thinking I pulled the note from my pocket.
‘What’s that?’ Hank asked.
‘Oh, errm nothing. Just a note from a ……friend.’
He reached across and took it from my hand, strangely I made no attempt to stop him or protest in any way, perhaps the alcohol in my system was to blame?
‘Who is Stacy?’
‘She is….wonderful,’ I said and then embarked on an overly long soliloquy about my recent experiences.
‘You missing her?’
There is was again, that word missing. Did I miss her? Yeah as it happens I did. A lot it seemed.
‘Very much.’
‘Ah.’
‘Ah?’
‘Well what you have to do here is decide.’
‘Decide what?’
‘On whether she’s an a, or a the.’
‘Hank? Was that English?’
He laughed, ‘Texan probably! What I mean is you have great opportunity here and if you need a Stacy in your life then I am happy to tell ya pal, Texas is full of em!’ he said opening his arms as if to take in the entire state. ‘But, if you need the Stacy then you’re either gonna have to get her to come Stateside or make the hardest damn decision of your life. Only you can decide.’
Chapter 41.
I was late, how on earth could I be late? I had travelled across the Atlantic to be at this meeting and I was in danger of missing it! I bounded up the steps and without stopping to be announced made my way into the room.
The Chairman of the board was just about to concluded things, ‘Well if we are not of a mind to proceed then it seems that there is nothing more to discuss. I am sure we all have better things to do today than sit around here?’ he said. There was a murmur of agreement from his colleagues on the panel.
‘I am sorry I am late, can I speak please?’ I said keeping my eyes fixed on his to avoid getting distracted. I needed to focus totally on what I had to do in order to salvage the situation.
‘Well young man, I’m afraid you are correct. You are late, too late it seems.’
‘You haven’t closed the meeting yet, let him speak!’ a voice I recognised called out.
With his eyes locked on mine the Chairman let out and exaggerated sigh, ‘Very well continue, but please try and keep it brief?’
I looked around me, what the hell did I say now? ‘Do you know who Nefertiti was?’ I asked.
He looked stunned at my question, ‘Well of course! He was a Pharaoh.’
‘Jade?’ I said. She was on her feet in a second.
‘Actually your honour, she was a fifteen year old that changed a nation, the world even,’ she said.
I smiled at her, ‘You don’t need to call him your honour Jade,’ I whispered. She just shrugged. I risked a look at Stacy for the first time, I had avoided doing so up until then as I didn’t want to lose focus but I found I had to look. She had evidently been close to tears at the prospect of her application being denied, now however she simply seemed to be in shock at my unexpected and rather dramatic entrance.
‘Why am I being lectured about Nefertiti by a Ladette?’ the Chairman asked.
Ladette? That was potentially a mistake. I half expected Jade to move forward and hit him and if not her, Kurt who was beside her to her to do it instead.
‘She’s not a Ladette!’ a voice called out before either of them could respond. It was Sam, ‘Her n Kurt taught me how to write better,’ he said. ‘You n all Prof,’ he added for my benefit. ‘Now I’ve got a job and so have my mates here, all cos of the centre and what we did there. So you should f…’
‘Apologise!’ Alfie shouted from the back thankfully cutting Sam off. This was greeted with a round of applause from the packed public gallery; it seemed the centre was a big issue locally. It was Alfie’s voice that I had heard demand I be allowed to speak.
Looking suitably ruffled the Chairman said, ‘Well I am sorry Miss, but what exactly is your point?’
Jade opened her mouth to speak, then realised she had no idea what the point was and looked at me in desperation.
‘The point is that this young lady who is only sixteen knew more about that subject than you did.’ He visibly bristled at that, ‘More than nearly everyone in this room I might add,’ I said quickly. The centre has offered five local young people an opportunity to study, an opportunity they have all taken. Three have jobs, stand up guys,’ I said, reluctantly they got to their feet. ‘And two are undertaking further study to join the armed forces,’ I gestured for Kurt and Jade to rise and slowly they obliged.
Alfie instigated a “spontaneous” round of applause at which all five blushed, ‘Of course they were supported in this by some volunteers,’ I said pointing at Paul and the two girls. Paul was on his feet in a millisecond loving the limelight and dragging the two girls up with him. ‘Ably fed by this lady, who cook’s the best breakfast ever!’ I nearly shouted pointing at Yu, she reluctantly got to her feet.
‘In fact this room is full of people who benefit from the centre as it is, stand up every one!’ Dan was up first followed by Bert, Ada and assorted others until nearly half the gallery was on its feet.
‘Yet there is one person who holds all this together, who shows a selfless devotion to the needs of the community and who, without your support, would be forced to close one of the few things in this area that has a real sense of intrinsic value,’ I said pointing at Stacy who also rose to her feet.
‘Yeah!’ Alfie shouted pumping his fist in the air, I was sure he had no idea what I had just said but he was on a roll and encouraged those around him to join in.
When the up roar had died down the Chairman said, ‘Yes, yes. We have already heard these arguments before your late arrival, had you been on time you would also have heard the argument for the economic value to the area.’
‘Economic?’
‘Yes, a national bookmaker’s chain is willing to set up shop and employ local people should the centre not continue.’
‘Shame! Shame!’ Alfie called from the back.
‘So you’re forcing her out in favour of a gambling den?’ I said pointing at Stacy again.
‘No one is forcing anyone, we are denying the application for a youth club on the grounds of potential nuisance but it would be remiss of us to not take into consideration all the relevant factors and that includes the economic one.’
‘I see, public nuisance and economic?’
‘Yes.’
‘So how exactly is the local community going to benefit from another bookmaker?’
‘They will employ four people.’
‘I see, hmm. Well the centre has already employed three staff and helped three more obtain jobs so by my reckoning that makes it a score of six four to the centre.’ This caused another bout of cheering. ‘Of course that was just in four weeks, im
agine what will happen in four years?’ more cheering.
‘I was also wondering if the council could explain how they find the potential for sustained improved employment prospects could be less valuable than a bookmaker?’ I was expecting more cheering but became a little unnerved when the room suddenly became quiet.
After a moment’s pause the Chairman said ‘We,’ referring to the council panel with his hand, ‘Take your point, however there is also the public nuisance element.’
‘Yes?’
‘Well having discos going on until all hours, very disruptive.’
‘All hours?’ Alfie shouted from the back. ‘It’s gonna be seven till ten three nights week, and the only time there will any music is on a Friday night, the other two nights will have other things going on, like, art and stuff.’
‘And Cooking!’ yelled Yu.
‘Team building!’ Paul added.
Really? I thought to myself. I was not sure who was more surprised me or the panel. I looked at Alfie who just nodded empathically.
‘Well there is still the need for someone to take responsibility for the youth clubs operation, an adult.’
‘I’ll do that on the Friday’s,’ Alfie said.
‘And you are?’
‘Alfonso Garibaldi, talent agent,’ he announced proudly.
Alfonso Garibaldi? No way!
‘Are you a local Mr Garibaldi?’
‘Henrietta Street.’
‘Well that still leaves the other two nights.’
‘That will be me,’ I said. I gave him my name.
‘Living locally?’ he asked.
‘In the flat above the centre,’ I said.
Stacy looked at me in shock, I had not had a chance to tell her this or in fact any part of my hastily formed plan.
‘Well in that case,’ he said looking at his panel for agreement. ‘Motion agreed for a twelve month licence for a youth club three days per week. Good luck!’
Chapter 42.
‘Your back?’ Stacy said to me.
‘Yeah, I forgot something.’
‘What?’
‘To return my keys.’
‘Oh,’ she said looking a little dejected.
‘Nice one mate!’ Alfie shouted slapping me on the back and interrupting.
‘Alfonso Garibaldi?’ I said in mock shock.
‘That’s me, I can make you an offer you can’t refuse y’know,’ Stacy laughed at that but I was once again clueless.
‘So you’re gonna live in my flat?’ Stacy asked as Alfie walked away. It had seemed like such a good idea at the time but now I was forced to confront the reality of convincing Stacy of its merits my resolve started to crumble.
‘Errm, is that ok?’
‘What about America?’
‘Well it was still there when I left.’
‘Don’t be smart! You know what I mean. Wasn’t it any good?’
‘It was great, nearly perfect?’
‘Perfect?’ she said looking confused. ‘So why are you back? Did you not find what was missing?’
‘I said nearly perfect and yes I found it.’ She looked even more confused now. ‘So I figured if I rent your flat then that would help with the finances and….stuff? Most of my belongings are already in there anyway. ’
‘Well yeah, I suppose. I guess having you in there is better than no one or someone I didn’t know and couldn’t trust….. Can I trust you?’
‘Yeah….you can,’ I said taking her hand.
‘Hang on, how on earth are you gonna pay rent?’
‘Well as of tomorrow I am respectably employed.’
‘Doing what?’ she asked incredulous.
‘Head of History at the Poly, that’s where I’ve just come from and why I was a bit late.’
‘A bit late? You almost missed it!’
‘That’s not the only thing I missed.’ She frowned as if she didn’t understand. ‘Like I said I found what was missing, well I realised what was missing actually and had to come back and get it?’
‘What was it?’
‘You…….dopey,’ I reached down a kissed her. She froze for a moment before putting her arms around my neck and kissing me back.
‘Won’t the Americans be really angry?’ she said.
‘Maybe but I didn’t want to kiss them,’ she punched my chest lightly. ‘Anyway I’ve made them an offer they can’t refuse,’ I said borrowing Alfie’s line despite having no idea where it came from.
‘Oh yeah?’
‘Well Keith, my new boss is more than happy to run a student exchange programme if they want. That way they can send their students to Europe for a bit. It’s a big draw apparently for American Universities.
‘Oh, cool. So……now that I’m your landlady?’
‘Well that’s the other thing?’
‘Hmmm?’
‘Yeah, you see, I was kind of hoping about living in the flat….’
‘What?’
‘Well that if things work about between us…..’
‘Yes?’
‘That.’
‘What?’ she said in a voice which betrayed her frustration.
‘It’s only temporary.’
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