It Started in the Summer - (Jack Grealish)

Chapter 1 - The Pre Game Build Up

It was coming up to 1 o'clock on Wednesday 7th July, I was finishing work at lunch time today because I had to get home, pack my things and make my way to London. Why? By some fluke of luck,  I'd managed to win two VIP tickets to the England v Denmark semi final at Wembley and kick off was at 8pm,  I had every intention of making this a night to remember, whatever the result!

I had arranged to meet my best friend Jess at the Hilton Hotel  just outside the stadium, part of the prize was a double room for the night after the game, along with a meal and free drinks before and after the game. I wanted to make the most of it so planned to check in as soon as possible, get ready for the game, eat, then head to BOXPARK before the game started to make the most of the free drinks on offer.

After travelling for what felt like an age, I rocked up at the hotel a little after 3pm, I headed to reception where they told me Jess had already checked in, so I boarded the lift and headed up to the top floor.

"you're bloody late" Jess moaned as I walked through the door.

"Good to see you to hun" I replied, giggling.

Jess was showered and changed and doing her hair and make up. 

"Give me half an hour hun and I'll be ready, I swear" I said, as I undressed and headed to the bathroom, Jess just grunted, she'd known me long enough to know I was going to take longer than 30 minutes to get ready, and she was right...

As I was changing after my shower,  the phone in the room rang, I answered it wondering who on earth would be calling me here. The receptionist on the other end of the line explained that a guy from the FA was heading up to our room with our tickets and passes for before and after the game, I felt a sudden rush of excitement wash over me, then remembered I was still in my towel so hurriedly threw on my England shirt and some faded, ripped, mum jeans.

There was a knock on the door and I headed over to answer it, my hair still on top of my head in a towel and my face still wet and flushed from my shower...

"Hi, Miss James? I'm Greg Jones, I work for the FA. it's a pleasure to meet you and congratulations on your win! I've got your tickets here for the match, great seats I might add, just across from the players bench" he smiled. "I've also got you passes for BOXPARK before the game and for the VIP lounge after the game, where you will get to meet the players and manager and back room staff. There will be nibbles and drinks available should you want them and the lounge stays open til 2am on match days"

"We're gonna meet the players?" Jess piped up enthusiastically from behind me as she joined me by the door "OK, I'm gonna need to redo my make-up" she said to herself, as she turned and hurried back into the room, starting to remove her freshly applied make-up with a fistful of cleansing wipes.

I turned back to Greg, raised my eyebrows at him and let out an amused giggle at my friends excitement. He smiled back at me, knowingly, and handed me a plastic bag with an England badge stamped on the front. "There's also two match day shirts in here for your both, signed by the whole squad and the manager, you never know, they might be worth something if tonight's game goes to plan" he chuckled. As he turned around to open the door he handed me a business card "Here's my contact details, if you need anything at all between now and when you leave tomorrow, please just give me a call and I will be more than happy to help you" he said "just head down to BOXPARK when you're ready, their open from 4pm and they are expecting you" he said with a kind smile on his face. As he left the room and headed out the door into the corridor, he turned back to me with a serious face and said "I think it's coming home you know...." and chuckled as he walked away towards the lift. I laughed, thanking him for his help, and headed back into our room shutting the door behind me.