Mike Peters made the rush-hour commute home from work on Monday evening, with one thing on his mind. He wasn’t stressing about what was shaping up to be another busy week at the office. The only thing he could think about was the big football match, the following Saturday evening. At 8pm Saturday evening, Mike would be in the stadium watching his beloved Salford Heath play their local rivals, Barton FC. The fixture between both teams always proved to be the biggest game of the season. There was always so much drama, on and off the pitch. No-one who called themselves a Salford fan would miss that game.

Later that evening, he flaked out on the sofa with his wife Tina, watching early evening television. 

‘Melissa is having a surprise birthday party for Dale on Saturday night.’ Tina said. ‘She’s invited us along. Of course, we’re not to mention it to Dave and ruin the surprise.’ 

Mike winced at the mention of Saturday night. This was typical. He and Tina had had no plans for the last few weeks and the night he was going to the game, their friends invite them to a party. He shook his head.

‘I can’t go. I’ll be at the game.’ He said.

‘Could you not miss it, this once? We’ve known Mel and Dave for years. It is his birthday.’

‘Tina, we play Barton on Saturday night. You know, Barton? Salford’s biggest rivals. I’m not missing the game. End of story.’ Mike said.

Tina nodded. She knew the score. Mike was actually rather shocked she’d asked him in the first place. As if he would miss the big game against their rivals.

The next morning at the office, all talk was of Chinese food. The whole open-plan office floor was having one huge conversation about the delights of Chinese cuisine. Mike turned to his colleague at the desk next to him. Like him, Billy was in his mid-twenties, and the two colleagues viewed each other as more like friends, rather than co-workers. Mike asked what all the talk of food was about.

‘It’s the works night out on Saturday, remember? The firm have booked that Chinese restaurant in town. And, it’s their treat. How cool is that?’ Billy said.

‘And it’s this Saturday night?’ Mike asked. 

‘Yes, they booked it ages ago. There was an email sent round to everyone.’ Billy replied. 

Mike explained how he would be at the game so would be unable to make the night out. Again, he wondered at the universe and the timing of things. He stared out the window, watching the rain against the pane, pondering the chances of all these events happening on the same evening.

The following evening, while Mike was watching the Champion’s League football game on TV, and Tina was reading a paperback book on the sofa next to him, his mobile phone rang.

‘Hiya, Mum.’ Mike answered. 

‘Evening, love. How’s things there?’ His mother asked.

‘Yeah, fine. All dull and boring.’ He said.

‘Well, I won’t keep you, it’s just that I’ve had a phone call from your aunt Bernie in Dublin. Her and uncle Mikey are coming over this weekend to see us.’ 

Please, no, Mike thought, surely not.

‘We’re meeting up with them on Saturday night. I’m going to book a table in a restaurant. I’ll text you the details when I know more.’ His mother said.

‘Sorry, mum, I’ll be at the match. Salford Heath play Barton on Saturday night.’ He said.

‘Okay, so. Fair enough. I’ll give them your love.’ His mother said. 

Finally Saturday rolled around. While his colleagues were preparing for the big night out, his parents were getting ready for their Irish visitors, and his wife for her friend’s birthday party, Mike was completely focused on the big match. Tina went along to help her friend with decorating the tables at the social club for the surprise party that evening while Mike watched the sports news channel on television, in preparation for the massive game that night. Just after three o’clock, Tina came rushing in from the rain, shaking her umbrella.

‘Put the kettle on, love.’ She asked. 

As Mike went to make the tea, he asked if everything was sorted for the party.

‘I think so,’ Tina said. ‘more or less. Dave has no idea all this has been planned. His face will be a picture.’ 

‘Fantastic. If it wasn’t for the match, I’d be there.’ Mike said. 

Tina simply smiled.

As Tina went to get herself showered and changed for the party, Mike wrapped his Salford Heath scarf around his neck, and zipped up his coat. He told her to have a good evening and left for the match. He headed along the motorway, tuning in to a rock music station. The hard rock tunes the station was playing, was really helping get himself pumped for the big game. He sang along with all the songs, fitting in football chants in-between tracks.

The atmosphere would be amazing, with both sets of fans, and the players themselves, really psyched up for the game. When his mobile phone rang, it connected to the car’s hands-free set. The name of the caller appeared on the small screen on the dashboard. Mum mobile. He shook his head. He had already told his mother he couldn’t make the get-together with their Irish relatives. Had she forgotten? He had told her all about the football. Why was she bothering him now? He couldn’t talk now, he was almost at the ground. He pressed the red button and ended the call before it began. He would call her the next morning and say sorry he missed her call. 

A few minutes later, his mobile phone rang again. What now? He chunnered. Tina mobile. His wife was calling him now. This was ridiculous. Could he not have a night at the football in peace? He couldn’t speak to Tina now. He pressed the red button. Busy tone. He would text her at half-time, hoping she was having a good evening. 

Twenty minutes later, he reached the junction for the stadium. Nearly there. It was almost time for kick-off. He turned off the motorway, and wound his way nearer and nearer the ground. He hummed the tune Dirty Old Town to himself, Salford Heath’s anthem. 

He pulled into the car-park to find there were not as many cars as usual. Of course, it was a big game, so a lot of fans will have made their way by bus, train, or coach, so they can have a drink and watch the match. 

He rushed across the road towards the stadium. He was in such a rush to get in the ground, and soak up the atmosphere that he didn’t notice the streets were quieter than usual for a match day. As he reached the ground, a steward in a hi-vis coat waved his hands.

‘Haven’t you heard?’ The steward said. ‘The match has been called off.’

‘You are joking?’ Mike said, in disbelief. 

‘Water-logged pitch. It’s been raining all day. They announced it about twenty minutes ago.’

By Chris Platt

From: United Kingdom