Strikers Instinct Read Online Free Page A

refill the glasses and then I can quickly bring us up to more modern times.”

CHAPTER 3

    Soon after the end of the game, Lexi and Tom Linden had followed Sarah Jenkins out from the executive suite. Sarah was Ed’s PA and she thought it was well below her position to act as nursemaid to two kids. She was, however, astute enough to recognise that it was important to her boss that the children were kept happily occupied for at least an hour. Lexi was equally unhappy at being dragged away from the adults and she didn’t hide her disappointment as well as Sarah. She had decided that as she was now 14 she was already almost an adult.
    â€œIs this going to take long?” she moaned.
    Sarah answered through gritted teeth, “I thought you were interested in looking around?”
    â€œThe only thing Lexi is interested in is meeting the players – especially the young ones!” said Jack – taking great delight at his sister’s embarrassment.
    â€œShut up Jack!” Lexi shouted, “You may only be 12 but stop acting like a five year-old!”
    Just then, another person appeared around the corner. “Perfect timing.” Sarah declared gratefully.
    â€œLexi, Jack, this is Kevin Roots, he’s spending some time here with us on placement from university. He only arrived yesterday so I’m taking this opportunity to show him around with you. You don’t mind do you?”
    The expression on Lexi’s face told Sarah that she didn’t mind in the least. She gazed shyly at the eighteen year old Kevin with obvious interest in her eyes. Tom looked at his sister and laughed. “We’d better get moving before Lexi starts sending out wedding invitations!”
    Lexi kicked her brother but otherwise ignored the remark whereas Kevin just looked puzzled.
    During the next 30 minutes Sarah took the three of them through various parts of the stadium. Meeting the players was obviously the highlight of the tour but Lexi and Tom were both disappointed to find that most of the team had already disappeared – the last game of the season meant that many of them were already heading off on holiday. They did however get some photos and autographs and Sarah made sure that both of them received a shirt that had been signed earlier that day by all the team.
    The last place they visited was deep in the bowels of the main stand. Sarah explained, “This is where the groundstaff live. Jason Grimshaw will explain how the new pitch works and then hopefully his dad will tell you something about the history of the club. Fred probably knows more than anyone about this place.”
    Just as she finished speaking, Jason appeared. Sarah made the introductions and Jason smiled and led them back out onto the side of the pitch. As the turf continued to disappear under a blanket of various materials, he explained how the grass was grown in large trays then placed onto a mesh which helped it bond with the new surface. He also explained how the under soil heating, sprinklers and heat lamps all helped to keep the pitch in pristine condition. When he finished he led the small group back into the groundstaff workroom.
    Just before they entered the room Jason whispered to Sarah, “Your timing isn’t great – he’s in a foul mood.”
    Sarah hissed back, “You-know-who doesn’t care – he just wants these kids to have a good time so you had better sort your Dad out!”
    Jason rolled his eyes then smiled. “I’ll see what I can do….”
    Fred was sat in the corner drinking a mug of tea. He was still seething at what he as the desecration of the pitch. Looking up, he discovered Jason standing before him with a small group of young people.
    â€œDad, Miss Jenkins hoped you would give these visitors some background information about the club?” Jason asked hopefully.
    â€œSorry son, it’s not a good time.” snapped Fred.
    â€œDad – these are