Read The Footballer's Wife for Free Online

mind.’
    Charly squeezed Joel’s knee, wishing that the meal was over and done with and that her boyfriendand father hopefully wouldn’t have to set eyes on one another again until they got married, if that was ever on the cards. ‘So it’s not proper football now?’ Joel asked.
    â€˜I’m just saying that it was in the days that men played for passion, not so they could see how many Porsches a week’s wage would get them. And if some young kid asked for an autograph they’d be flattered.’
    â€˜Dad, don’t have a pop . . .’ Charly said quietly, smoothing down her napkin.
    â€˜Who’s having a pop? I’m just saying . . .’
    Joel leaned across the table. ‘I play because I love football. And I happen to be good at it. Just because it pays well now and most lads would give their right arm to do it as a job is to me just an added bonus.’
    â€˜Course it is, son, I’m not suggesting any different.’ Len nodded thoughtfully, and Charly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the conversation was coming to a close. Len turned his attention to his daughter. ‘So then, our Charly . . .’ he said with a smile, obviously about to try and lighten the mood. Charly winced; she could sense one of her dad’s bad jokes brewing. ‘What do you see in the millionaire Joel Baldy?’
    â€˜Dad!’ Charly hissed.
    â€˜Len,’ Joel said angrily.
    â€˜Mr Metcalfe . . .’ Len corrected.
    â€˜You weren’t christened Mr Metcalfe . . . Have you got a problem?’ Charly knew that Joel was livid.
    â€˜I’m not the one with the problem, lad.’
    Charly looked at her dad; how had things gone so badly? she wondered. Joel was just about to retaliate when the waitress arrived.
    â€˜Soup?’ Joel looked away, a muscle twitching in his jaw as he restrained himself.
    â€˜Me, love. Thanks,’ Len said, smiling. ‘And grab us another whisky and water, would you?’
    Charly stared at her starter. She had suddenly lost her appetite.
    The rest of the meal continued in a similar if uneventful vein as the three ate their food and stuck as much to pleasantries as was possible.
    After Len polished off a sticky toffee pudding and a large brandy, he asked for the bill. ‘Hope you don’t mind me giving you the third degree, lad. Just my little joke really.’ Len smiled drunkenly at Joel, who was sipping water. ‘Just want to make sure you’re serious about this one.’
    â€˜We’ve been together a year, Dad, how much more serious can he be?’ Charly asked angrily.
    â€˜Bloody hell, love, don’t get your knickers in atwist,’ Len said, his eyes sparking, suddenly angry. Charly looked at him, worried what he might do next. His moods were unpredictable when he drank whisky. Len looked at his daughter and his face thawed; as if he was mentally bringing himself back from the brink. He patted her hand as the bill arrived. ‘Good girl.’ Len momentarily looked at the bill and took out his wallet. He was carefully leafing out notes as Charly looked on gratefully. Her dad shouldn’t have to get this but she was proud that he was offering.
    â€˜I’ve already paid, Len,’ Joel said.
    â€˜What do you mean? I wanted to get this.’ Len looked almost wounded.
    â€˜It’s done. Gave the waitress my card when I came in.’
    Charly could tell her father’s pride was hurt. He liked to pay his own way.
    â€˜It’s alright, Dad, you can get the next one,’ she said, praying to God there wouldn’t be a next one. Len smiled weakly at his daughter.
    â€˜Thank you, Joel,’ Len said humbly.
    â€˜No prob.’ Joel got up from his seat. ‘Shall we?’ Charly looked at her boyfriend. He couldn’t wait to get out of there.
    Charly and Joel drove home in silence. She staredout of the window, willing the angry tears that were threatening to