Strikers Instinct (27 page)

Luke began to think that Sandy had some kind of weird mystic powers – over the next few weeks more or less everything he had discussed with Luke seemed to come true. The next game after the Fulham match was at home and the score was 0-0 when Luke was thrown onto the pitch with 15 minutes to go. The opposition seemed unsure how to handle him and after a few minutes decided that he posed no threat and more or less left him unmarked. Then Luke swooped on a loose ball and flicked it into the path of Rae and the ball was in the net!

This seemed to set the scene for the next few games. Luke would be named as a substitute and was only brought onto the pitch if Wishton weren't winning. He made four appearances in 6 games – Wishton won five and drew the other. Everyone was happy – probably Sandy was the most pleased. His footballing instincts had been proved correct and finally Wishton were beginning to move back up the table. Possibly the happiest person of all was Ed – the team were winning again and the publicity was amazing. Each game that Luke played in seemed to start a media frenzy that didn't die down all week. In fact – as far as Ed was concerned there were only two small worries at the moment.

True to his word, Luke wouldn't play ball with the reporters who seemed to be everywhere these days. He was polite but firm and all enquiries were fielded by Sarah and other members of staff. However, behind the scenes Luke worked feverishly to help wherever he could. He never ignored a request for an autograph and he made several low-profile visits to children's hospitals and other worthy causes. It was probably the perfect scenario as far as Luke was concerned – he became more popular by the day but he still maintained his privacy.

The other issue that Ed – and several others – were worried about was that although the team were now picking up points – they still couldn't break into the top two. The two teams at the top of the table were solidly winning each week and if it continued the best that Wishton could hope for would be a place in the play-offs. However, that would be a few weeks away and Sandy constantly told the players to take each game one at a time. There was nothing they could do about the teams above them, they just needed to concentrate on their own game and hope that one or both of the teams above them hit a dip in form.

In the meantime Harry began to spend more time each week checking up on Luke. He was worried that the extra pressure may affect him or cause some health issues but Harry was amazed at how nothing seemed to bother Luke. Harry was convinced that although Luke's fitness levels played a big part in his general well-being – the real key to everything was Luke's mental attitude. Harry was convinced that Luke's use of meditation – and the occasional prayer – helped Luke cope with everything that this strange situation threw at him. The data that harry gathered from Luke and from his other test patients was really helping the team back at the Dementia research facility. Only Harry knew the real identities of the study group but the data he gave to the team was proving to be very interesting indeed. Luke was known as Test Unit BX.

Harry smiled to himself as he reflected that he was probably suffering more from stress than Luke was. He couldn't remember the last time he had a day off – he thought it was amusing that the fruit extract was probably the main thing that was keeping him going. He found it comforting that he knew first hand that his discovery did seem to have a beneficial effect. Even so – he wished he could just put everything to one side for one evening and relax with a few drinks and some friends. He was deep in thought as he left the TxT Stadium following a board meeting – seemingly so deep in thought that he didn't notice the person approaching from his left until they collided.

“I'm so sorry!” Harry began, then he noticed that the person he had bumped into seemed familiar. “I hope you aren't hurt?”

Jessica Villiers smiled thinly, “No harm done.” She said quietly.

Harry suddenly realised who he was talking to. “Jessica,” he said, “I can't believe I didn't recognise you – that's another reason I have to apologise.”

“Not many people realise who I am these days,” Jessica replied sadly, “and even the ones who do tend to ignore me.”

Harry suddenly realised that the main reason he hadn't spotted Jessica is that she was almost unrecognisable from the Jessica he remembered from the Charity ball. She wore little or no make-up with her hair scraped back and sensible flat shoes. Her appearance was topped off by an unflattering blue overall – she seemed to be nothing like the Jessica he knew and for a moment he was lost for words.

“Don't worry,” she grimaced, “I know I'm an embarrassment to be seen with – I'll get out of your way. Good night.”

“Wait,” Harry called, “are you in your car or can I offer you a lift somewhere?”

Jessica stared back at him. “I no longer have a car.” she announced defiantly. “My cousin has suspended payments until I prove that I can be a good girl.” Then she relaxed slightly “So yes – it would be wonderful not having to catch the bus home.”

Harry ushered her outside and helped her into his car. Suddenly she began to cry.

“I've been such a fool.” she sobbed. “And everyone has made me pay for it. You are the first person who has spoken civilly to me since all this happened.”

Harry looked uncomfortable – crying females were not his field of expertise.

“Look,” he suggested, “I was just thinking to myself that I deserved a drink – could I tempt you to join me?”

“I'm hardly dressed for socialising.” Jessica smiled, looking down at the outfit she had to wear in the kitchen.

“Don't worry,” said Harry, “we aren't going to the Ritz – we'll just call into a pub on the way home.”

Jessica finally agreed and a few minutes later they were sat in a cosy corner of a small pub with a bottle of wine nestling between them. Harry persuaded Jessica to have a sandwich and they ate in silence – both seemingly enjoying the unexpected meeting. Harry had just the one glass of wine as he was driving and then he moved on to mineral water but he encouraged Jessica to finish off the bottle of wine and after a couple of glasses she seemed a lot more like her old self.

Jessica was surprised at how irritated Harry seemed to become when she brought up the subject of Luke Linden. She thought Harry would be pleased to talk about his friend's success but he seemed annoyed. She had been saying that he seemed to be in every newspaper and constantly on the TV and Harry just snorted.

“Is there something wrong?” she asked. “Is it something I said?”

Harry shook his head. “No, no.” he said apologetically. “It's not you, it's just that I am getting a bit fed up about constantly hearing about Luke Linden. Don't worry – I'm just a bit more tired and irritated than usual.”

Jessica seemed to sense that Harry was hiding something so she continued to talk about Luke until Harry finally snapped.

“Look,” he said in a low voice, “I'm very happy for Luke but I don't think everyone would be so pleased if they knew the full story about what has helped him to become so successful.”

Harry didn't seem to notice the expression of triumph on Jessica's face and she immediately changed the subject. Harry relaxed and soon they were laughing and talking – seemingly without a care in the world. Harry sighed.

“I hate to be a party pooper,” he said wistfully, “but I need to pop into the hospital to check on some patients so I think it's time I got you home.”

Jessica nodded in agreement and they were soon outside her house.

“You know,” he said, “this has done me a power of good – we should do it again some time.”

“I would love that.” Jessica agreed. “What do you suggest?”

“Let me take you out for a proper meal.” Harry smiled. “Not pub grub but a nice restaurant somewhere?”

Jessica seemed to hesitate. “That sounds wonderful but I don't like going out much these days – I would prefer to stay closer to home for a while.”

Harry seemed disappointed.

“Don't worry,” she laughed, “I'm not turning you down – just suggesting that it may be better if we have a meal at my place – I'll cook.”

“That sounds like a great idea.” Harry agreed. “When's the best time for you?”

They compared notes for a few minutes and finally agreed on an evening at the weekend when both of them were free.

Harry got out of the car to open the passenger door for Jessica who seemed to be almost in tears again.

“What's wrong?” Harry asked nervously.

“Nothing,” she smiled, “I'd just forgotten what it was like to be with a real gentleman.”

She gave Harry a small peck on the cheek. “Goodnight Harry – and thanks for everything. I'll see you on Saturday evening.”

Harry grinned. “I'm looking forward to it,” he said, “and I'll bring the wine!”

“Well you had better use a taxi,” she laughed, “I don't want to be drinking it all myself again!”

She watched Harry drive down the road then opened her front door and strode inside with a new-found determination. She looked on her phone for a number then became annoyed when she couldn't find what she wanted. She rummaged in a drawer for a battered address book then finally found what she was looking for and dialled a number. As she waited for the other person to pick up she smiled to herself.

“I'll teach them to treat me like dirt!”

The following Saturday Wishton Clough were playing away at Rotherham. Another hard-fought encounter was expected and it proved no less. With fifteen minutes to go Wishton were actually losing 1-0 and the away fans were chanting for “Lucky Linden”. Luke accordingly made his appearance and made his usual early impact. He fired the ball across to the winger who returned the pass back to Luke – Luke flicked the ball on to Rae who smashed the ball goalwards. Unfortunately it seemed that lady luck wasn't smiling on Wishton today because the ball smashed against the post and flew away for a goal kick.

The pattern continued for the next ten minutes – Wishton were pressing and probing but couldn't get the ball into the net. The fourth official raised his board to indicate three minutes of added time – time that was fast running out for Wishton. With barely a minute to go Wishton won a free kick on the edge of the Rotherham penalty area. Two or three Wishton players stood over the ball – arguing about who was going to take it. Suddenly Luke moved forward and nodded to Andy.

“Mine.”

Andy nodded in surprised agreement and moved the other players away – he looked towards the touchline and even Sandy looked somewhat shocked – this wasn't in the script. As Luke stood over the ball Andy suddenly realised that he seemed to be the coolest man on the pitch. The Rotherham defenders were panicking – their goalkeeper was bawling all kinds of orders – and the Wishton team knew that this was their last chance to get anything from this game.

Luke took a couple of steps backward, the referee blew his whistle and Luke moved quickly forward. Andy groaned as Luke hit the ball – it was a terrible shot that seemed to spin off the outside of Luke's boot and shot towards the end of the wall. Just as he was about to turn away in frustration the ball hit the last man in the wall and ricocheted back towards the goal – completely wrong-footing the goalkeeper! The goalie was stranded and watched helplessly as the ball shot into the opposite side of the open goal. The Wishton players celebrated wildly – unlike Luke who refused to celebrate what he considered to be a fluke – he just trotted back to the half-way line shaking his head.

Seconds later the ref blew for full time and although both teams had shared the points it was the Wishton players who were the happiest walking off the pitch – the Rotherham players felt that they had thrown it away. Sandy greeted Luke with a hug and a handshake.

“Well done son – even if it was slightly lucky!” he laughed.

“Slightly lucky!” Andy exclaimed cheerfully. “If the ball hadn't hit that last player then it would have knocked the corner flag out!”

The players all joined in the laughter – especially when Luke claimed that he had been aiming for the wall all along! No-one believed him of course – but Harry and Sandy did share a secret look. The players were soon changed and back on the coach – Luke as usual did his best to avoid the inevitable interviews.

“Luke, Luke,” one reporter shouted as he walked towards the coach, “do you mind that everyone calls you Lucky?”

Luke laughed. “I think today proved that Lucky is the perfect nickname for me!”

During the drive home the players looked at the other results and were relieved to find that the two points they had dropped hadn't caused too many problems. The top two teams had both won again and everyone began to accept that it looked increasingly likely that they would be the two teams who gained automatic promotion at the end of the day. Wishton were now in fourth position with a healthy points cushion between themselves and the team in seventh place.

Harry sat next to Luke on the journey home, using the time to quietly talk about Luke's daily journal and to make a note of any feelings, instincts or perceptions that Luke may have had that week -or even during the game.

Harry looked slightly uncomfortable. “Luke,” he whispered, “your goal – was it really a miss-hit?”

Luke checked around the coach to make sure they couldn't be overheard before he answered. Then he shook his head.

“No.” he said quietly. “You know that I don't normally take free kicks but something just told me to take that one. Then when I was standing over the ball I just couldn't see a way through – but I was drawn to the player standing on the edge of the wall. It's hard to explain but I knew I had to blast the ball at him. And you know the rest.”

Harry just nodded silently as he made notes. “Your reactions are proving beyond anything I hoped for,” he murmured, “I'm sure this behaviour will be invaluable towards my research.”

Then Andy approached and they changed the subject.

“Do you mind if I come over in the morning Luke?” he asked. “I think I have tweaked a muscle and I would appreciate it if I could use your hot room?”

“No problem Andy,” Luke replied, “Bring the family and we can have lunch. Do you want to join us Harry?”

“I don't think I will be free tomorrow.” Harry replied. “I'm taking some time off tonight so I'll have to catch up tomorrow.”

“What do you have planned tonight?” Luke asked curiously.

“Nothing special.” Harry replied cautiously.

Andy and Luke shared an amused glance.

“Would there possibly be a young lady involved, Dr. Green?” Andy asked jokingly.

Harry just sniffed and refused to comment. Andy and Luke giggled like two schoolgirls.

“Don't be daft Andy,” Luke said, “it's not going to be a young lady – probably a pensioner that feels sorry for Harry!”

“Very funny.” Harry sniffed, moving away to speak to one of the physiotherapists.

“I wonder what he's up to?” Luke thought aloud. Andy just shrugged and picked up a sport magazine. Back at the training ground the players and staff quickly moved from the coach to their own cars and soon everyone was heading for home. It took Harry about 15 minutes to get to his mother's house and he quickly showered and changed. Then he rang for a taxi and as he was waiting for it to arrive he selected a bottle of wine from a large selection in the garage.

Soon he was knocking on Jessica's front door and when the door opened it revealed a completely different person to the one he had met a few days earlier. It looked like the old Jessica was back – perfectly dressed with flawless make-up and stunning hair. She greeted Harry warmly and led him through to the living room.

“Dinner will be about 15 minutes, I hope you are hungry.” she announced.

“Starving,” he replied, “it's been a long day.”

They made small talk as Jessica poured them both a drink, then she led Harry through to the dining room. He had to admit that the meal was superb – he felt slightly bad because he had been expecting something a lot worse. Jessica was great company – Harry felt more relaxed than he had in a long time, maybe that was something to do with the fact that his wine glass was never allowed to be empty.

Jessica finally brought the cheese board through and she poured Harry a large glass of Port.

“That was fantastic!” he exclaimed.

“Glad you enjoyed it, “Jessica smiled, “I don't get too many chances to cook for friends these days. I'm usually stuck in those horrible kitchens at the ground and normally the last thing I want to do when I'm at home is cook.”

Harry suddenly seemed very embarrassed. “I'm so sorry – I never gave it a thought – I'm sure that cooking was the last thing you wanted to do – I can't apologise enough!”

Jessica laughed. “No need to apologise – this was a totally different kind of cooking and I enjoyed it. Look, let's change the subject. How was the game today – I hear that Luke Linden saved the day again?”

Harry's faced clouded over. “If you don't mind I'd rather talk about something else. Luke Linden seems to be the only thing that people talk about these days.”

“I'm sorry Harry,” Jessica said softly, “I didn't mean to upset you.”

“Don't worry,” he blustered, “you didn't upset me but if everyone knew the full story behind Luke Linden then I'm sure they wouldn't see him in the same light!”

Jessica's eyes glittered as she studied the slightly-drunk man sitting before her. “Do you mean that he has a secret to hide?”

Harry tapped the side of his nose conspiratorially “Let's just say, between the two of us, that Luke has a special drink that helps him get through each game.”

Jessica began to get more excited but tried her best to keep calm. “I always thought there was something fishy about the whole thing.” she murmured. “I still can't believe that he won that competition fairly in the first place.”

Harry winked at her. “You need to speak to Fran Lafferty about that – she sorted it all out.”

Jessica continued to subtly interrogate Harry for a few more minutes and dug out a few more interesting facts but she soon realised that he seemed to be falling asleep! Smiling, she walked into the kitchen to make some black coffee. When she returned she shook Harry gently.

“Here you go Harry, I've called you a cab – drink this whilst you are waiting.”

Harry tried to protest and apologise but Jessica insisted that it didn't matter, it had been a lovely evening and she would love to do it again sometime. A few minutes later there was a knock at the door and she helped Harry to his feet and walked him to the door.

“Good night Harry,” she said “thanks for a lovely evening.”

Jessica closed the door and then grinned excitedly as she listened to footsteps moving down the stairs. Seconds later Jackie Jenson entered the living room – the same person who Ed had insulted in his press conference a few months ago.

“Well?” asked Jessica with a raised eyebrow.

“Perfect,” Jackie grinned, “I need to check but I think I managed to record everything he said!”

“I think that calls for a drink!” Jessica announced happily. “What about a toast?”

Jackie raised her glass. “Here's to justice!” she announced excitedly. “We both get our revenge on Ed Tierney by blowing this crooked scheme wide open! I'll take this recording straight to my boss and we'll set up how we are going to expose everything.”

Jessica suddenly became serious. “You won't forget our deal?” she asked anxiously.

“Of course not.” Jackie replied. “Once we broadcast this story you will become a wealthy woman who can escape from this dreary hole and get back to civilisation! Poor Luke Linden won't know what has hit him!”