Honour of the Line by Brian Darley

beside her. The crowd was rather sparse, probably only about 60 to 70 people. Nothing like the District Matches which were really well attended. Rather to my annoyance I noticed a man standing behind my goal in both halves. He was making notes and I wondered if Angela’s Dad had smelt a rat and was having her followed. Time after time I had to make saves as we were comprehensively outplayed until I eventually let a soft one drop from my grasp for their centre-forward to tap in. One saving grace was that none of the other players in the team did very well. A further late flurry resulted in us being beaten 3 – 0 but late in the game worse was to happen to me. Going up to take a high cross I was challenged and fell awkwardly, hurting my shoulder and back but luckily it was nearly time for the final whistle to blow. Getting changed and showered was not very easy but somehow I managed. The organiser of the County Team (Manager’s were a thing of the future) gave every player an envelope to hand to the Heads of their schools on Monday morning. I took mine but didn’t give it much consideration.
    Embarrassing or what! I had to ask Angela to do my shoes up for me as I couldn’t bend down but she was so sweet and kind she didn’t mind one bit. We walked to the station holding hands and it all now seemed so natural. Engineering works on the line were causing minor delays so we had around 20 minutes to wait for our train. To pass the time we walked to the far end of the platform. The idea being we could get in the last carriage and lessen our chances of being spotted when we arrived at Colwood. We both thought it easier that way. I would be able to leave the station first and Angela shortly after by the other exit. That way, hopefully, no suspicion would arise. Whilst waiting at the platform end we started cuddling and shared our first kiss. Numbers two, three, four, ninety nine, hundred, nine hundred and ninety nine and one thousand quickly followed and I held myself slightly away from Angela as I felt my willy stiffening. Throughout our journey home we snogged continuously, barely stopping for breath, and saving the last marathon one for the journey between the last two stations. On arrival, as planned, we left the train and without turning back I made my way swiftly to Grandad’s. I guess I must have had the biggest smile ever on my face. My kit was in one of Mum’s shopping bags, designer kit bags were a generation away yet. This bag was particularly useful as I could hold it in front of me until my erection finally subsided. For the first time in my entire school life I couldn’t wait for Monday to arrive.
    Grandad was waiting for me and wanted to know how things had gone. I told him we had lost 3 – 0 and he then asked how I had performed. With a little bit of the devil in me my answer was “very well”. Little did he know I was talking about something quite different to football. That weekend seemed to drag like no other

C HAPTER 14
Let’s Do It Again!
    Late on Sunday afternoon I popped up to see Grandad. I was feeling like I had recently conquered Everest. I was nice and clean after bathing off all the coal dust from working with Dad that morning and still full of excitement from that magical day before. As I walked up the short path to Grandad’s house Georgina came rushing out of her front door to ask how Saturday had gone. She wanted to know every single detail and I asked if she had spoken to Angela but she said she hadn’t and had not dared to call for her as her father was such a strict disciplinarian and she did not want to upset the apple cart. Finally she mentioned that she really envied Angela. What an awful position for me to be in. I had just found a girlfriend and then I find out my best friend, who is also a girl, had the ‘hots’ for me. Girls such as Georgina had great morals. They would always be truthful but would never double cross their friends and Angela and I were her real