When Fools Rush In

Chapter 12 - I'd Never Bench You

Some of Lucy's colleagues at the Etihad invited her to watch the Poland game at a bar in central Manchester, but she declined, saying she didn't want a heavy Wednesday night. In reality, she didn't want to sit there drinking with them while Jack was playing, risking saying something that would give the game away, especially if he was fouled as much as the Hungarians had done so in the last international break. She knew her expletives would be far worse than if other City players were fouled in the same way.

She watched the match at home instead. At half time it was 1-1, with England looking shaky up front - the one goal to date had been a penalty which Kane had booted into the back of the net. She knew the fact that Jack hadn't been in the starting line up wasn't helping, with Sterling losing the ball a number of times in his right wing position.

At 65 minutes Sterling was taken off - and Jack came on.

"Come on Jack!" whooped Lucy, to herself, as she picked up her glass of wine.

It didn't take long for him to make an impact. The pace of the game picked up, and he was playing particularly well with Foden. After six minutes of Jack being on the pitch, he curled a smooth ball into Foden from the far left flank. Foden flicked it into the back of the net - it was 2-1 to England!

"Get in!" yelled Lucy, banging the coffee table. She wondered when she had suddenly become a raucous football fan.

England remained dominant for the next ten minutes, then at 82 minutes, Shaw passed a ball to Jack who found himself in empty space - the Polish defence caught on the hop after a few minutes of play in England's half. Jack wasted no time in running up the field, dribbling the ball effortlessly in front of him. Lucy was on the edge of her seat.

Two rapid Polish defenders soon caught Jack up, with Kane chasing towards the box. But Jack had the measure of them, he darted to their right and  took a shot - it breezed past the Polish goalie into the far left hand corner of the net. It was 3-1!

Lucy leapt off the sofa, punching the air, "come on my baby!" she screamed, clapping her hands together furiously, "what a goal!"

She watched on as Jack ran to the side of the pitch, sliding to his knees as his teammates joined him for their celebrations. They were home and hosed now. Her chest fluttered as she watched, she still couldn't believe the man she was watching - scoring for their country at the highest level - was the one who just a week ago had been sensually washing her hair in her bath in the room next door. She looked at the packed Warsaw stadium, throngs of fans looking on, the England band striking up. None of them knew. No one did. Only Jack, who had now returned to position to play out the final few minutes.

Immediately after the match Lucy received a message from Tara, who she realised she hadn't spoken to since the hen party. She felt a pang of guilt.

Tara - hey I trust you just watched the match? Brilliant from England eventually! Do you fancy coming round to watch the Albania match at mine on Saturday eve? Neil's away this weekend and thought we could have a girlie and footie night xxx

Lucy considered the message, she had hardly seen Tara since moving to Manchester, and she felt bad about it. She also felt a little reluctant but she couldn't turn down the invitation.

Lucy - sure, that would be great. I'll bring some wine round and let's hope we win again! I'll be round at 7 - match kicks off at 8 xxx

About an hour later, Lucy decided to message Jack, appreciating he would be inundated with messages of congratulations, and that they would be on their way back to their hotel.

Lucy - massive WELL DONE gorgeous, you are a game changer!! x

It only took five minutes for the response to come through.