As I am making my way past the security man I spot Jerome Fagan coming out of the toilet with a boy who I assume to be his son. Jerome nods to me and I nod back. I intend to leave it at that but he comes over to me and I can’t get away. It takes all of two seconds for him to ask after Jenny. I tell him that Jenny is over at the table by the window with Maeve even though I’m sure he has already spotted her. Asking for her like this is in my estimation Jerome’s way of asking permission from me to go over to Jenny. I tell Jerome that I’m going back outside to support the team. When I look back I see him at the bar ordering a drink and looking over at Jenny. Part of me wants to go back inside to make it known to Jerome that he cannot waltz about the place, seeking out my wife, but I fight it. Why he has chosen to join this club in the first place is beyond me.

I head over to our stand. There are shouts from managers telling their lads to turn and to face the opposition like fucking men and what about the defence? I stand on the wooden step that is loose. Our side score a goal and because it is so unexpected the way the game is going I actually miss the ball going into the net. All I’m aware of are the supporters and how they are shouting well done to the lads and Mikey and Joey are banging their fists joyfully on the metal barricades and in the rush I feel happy. I can just about make out Maeve in the bar, her face pressed against the glass and I give her the thumbs up. She waves back at me. I cannot see Jenny.