Closest to them was a table of younger women. They giggled together in between sipping their drinks and brief exchanges of conversation with the young men who squeezed by. One of the women, like Paula, looked like she was sitting on the edge, not knowing what to make of her surroundings. She had thick red hair that was cut short and framed her face with soft curls. She looked startled each time there was a cheeky exchange between one of the other girls and some of the men.

“Here he is,” Bruce said.

Paula looked up to see Tom edging through the crowd.

“The man of the moment.” Bruce slapped Tom playfully on the back.

Tom wore his football guernsey over a checked shirt. His straggly brown curls were still damp from the shower and he clutched a glass of beer in one hand. With his face twisted into a grin, Paula caught a glimpse of his crooked teeth and wondered if he hadn’t loosened another one in the game today. She’d seen him take some tough knocks. She waved across the table and mouthed a hello. Under his right eye, a dark bruise was forming.

“Well done, Tom.” Dan shook his hand. “You played a champion game.”

“Enough of a match for you, was it?” Tom’s grin widened.

“Plenty of action, mate. Rather you than me.” Dan nodded at Tom. “Looks like you’ll have a shiner there.”

Tom touched his cheek and shrugged his shoulders. “Wasn’t much of a bump. You should see the other fella.”

“Hi, Tom.” One of the girls from the next table stood up. She had to squeeze past him to get by.

Tom half turned and all the other girls at the table waved to him except the redhead. She was looking down at her lap. Tom raised a finger in recognition and said a quiet hello.

“Tom.” A man was beckoning him through the crowd. “Come on,” he shouted.

Tom put his half-empty glass on the table. “Have to go. The bus is taking us back to the pub at home. They’re putting on a meal and some drinks for us.”

“Glad to see you’re pacing yourself,” Dan said. “You’ve got a long night ahead of you.”

“Don’t listen to him.” Bruce slapped Tom on the back, spilling some of his own beer as he did so. “He’s just jealous because he’s an old married man with responsibilities.”

“Just like you.” Jane smiled. “Looks like I’ll be driving home.”

“Tom,” one of the girls called. “We’ll buy you a drink.”

He turned towards them.

There was another bellow from the man in the crowd. “Come on, Tom.”

“You’re in demand, mate,” Dan said.