Early Beginnings...

“Like the shirt, Dad!” said Leila as she bounded into the kitchen. She made
straight for the sink to grab herself a glass of tap water.

Dad was sat at the kitchen table wearing an old football shirt, with a glass of cider in his right hand and the television remote in his left.

“Thanks fat arse” replied the balding man, looking at his daughter with a silly grin on his face.

“What you up to, old git?” asked Leila, as she pulled out the chair beside her father and clumsily plonked herself down on it. She cast her eyes down to his hand that was firmly fixed around his glass of cider, and chuckled to herself.

“Watchin’ Footy News” he replied. “They’re on about the pre-season games.”

“Ah cool” said Leila, looking up to the wall-mounted television next to the kitchen window. “Our lot are off to the States next week aren’t they.”

“Yeah.”

“All the WAGs will be flying out! Lucky things.”

“Ahh, you wouldn’t wanna be a WAG love” said Dad. “I don’t trust those Footballers.”

“True. It would be amazing to live their lifestyle though!”

Dad shrugged. “Most of ‘em are daft tarts love” he said. “You’re too intelligent to go out with a Footballer. You’ve got yer Daddy’s brains.”

“Maybe,” said Leila. “Those girls are living their dreams though, and I admire them for that!”

Dad shrugged again.

Leila suddenly leant forward, grabbed his shoulder, and shook it briskly.

“Hey! What would you say if I brought a Footballer home?” she asked, looking at him with wide eyes, like an excited little girl.

Dad cast her a lazy glance. “I’d tell you to keep yer hand on yer tuppence” he replied, then fixed his attention back on the Footy News.

Leila let out a theatrical sigh.

“Ahh. I’m probably not WAG material anyway” she said. “Footballers like proper dolly birds don’t they. I’m a tom-boy!”

“Yes love” said Dad. “Maybe a rugby player would suit you better. They’re more intelligent, more roughty-toughty, and they don’t mind women who drink pints.”

Leila smiled and sat quietly for a moment, watching Footy News whilst sipping her glass of water.

She was looking forward to the start of the new football season, watching games on TV with her Dad, and the pair of them getting all worked-up and shouting at ref. She was also hoping to be able to afford to go to a few games with her football buddies, Big Dave and Lee.

The commercial break arrived and Dad turned his head to look at his daughter.
“Your car running alright?” he asked.

“Yeah” she replied. “Need new tyres though as the MOT is coming up and I think it’ll fail if I don’t get them done.”

“Want me to come with you?”

“Yeah. Thanks. Friday OK?”

“Yeah. Let’s go early before the queue. Best I go with you, make sure you don’t get ripped off.”

Leila chuckled. “I’m sure I’d be fine! Would like the company though.”

Dad nodded. “You working tonight girlie?”

“Yeah. Hopefully it will be a good night.” She looked up at the kitchen clock. “Best go and start getting ready actually.”

Leila slipped off the kitchen chair and stood up, gave an almighty stretch and then a shake of each leg.

“Earn plenty love” replied Dad. “And don’t let geezers take the p*ss.”

He picked up his glass of cider and took a swig from it. As Leila padded towards the kitchen door he glanced over at her once again.

“Fat arse” he said, just before Leila opened the kitchen door to disappear upstairs to her bedroom.

Leila spun around and stared at her father with big funny eyes. “What now, slap head?!”

He grinned at his daughter. “Keep yer hand on yer tuppence.”