We pass the rest of the game quietly, making small talk every now and then, Mia springing to her feet when our team scores the only goal of the game.
“One nil, not bad at all,” Mia says once the cheering has calmed at the end of the game. “Looks like it’s going to be a good rest of the season.”
“I would welcome that. Could use a win.”
“I hope Archieandthe sponsors saw that.” She gives me an indulgent smile. “You watch, they’ll be calling you tomorrow saying they've changed their minds and want to get back on board.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I rise to my feet, stretching my old man back. “Did you, uh… Did you want to go and get some dinner?”
Mia regards me with surprise. “Dinner?”
“Uh, yeah, only I’ve not eaten pretty much all day and I am famished.” I falter, realising the last thing Mia wants to do is have dinner with her ancient fucking father-in-law. The games are one thing, spending time with me willingly? That’s another. “You’re probably busy, or you just want to go home, or whatever. I understand.”
“No, no, dinner would be lovely.” She wraps her red scarf around her neck, which looks brilliant against the curtain of her dark brown hair. She smiles at me as she tucks her hands into the pockets of her grey coat. “I didn’t bring my car, didn’t want to deal with the traffic and all.”
“That’s not a problem, I can drive you. I’ll even drop you home.”
“Oh, how nice of you.” She laughs lightly. “Well, then. Lead the way.”
The traffic around the stadium is manic, and it takes us what feels like an age to maneuver our way out of Arlington and south towards Hammersmith.
“What do you fancy?”
Mia shifts in the seat beside me. “I don’t know. Just nothing stupid small and expensive. I’ve had my fill of ridiculous rich people’s food this week, I want real food.”
“I know a great little pub, it’s not far from my place.”
Mia looks over at me with a grin. “If you were anyone else I’d have thought that was a pick-up line.”
My face burns. “Jesus, I didn’t mean it like that, I-” I break off with an awkward laugh. “I just meant I know it well.”
Mia laughs out loud. “I know, I know, I’m just teasing you.”
If Mia knew exactly what that teasing’s done to me, she’d slap me and get out of the car. What is wrong with me? I can’t be within 6 feet of a beautiful woman without going all soft in the damn head.
“So what rich people food have you been subjected to this week then?” I ask, forcing myself to sound jovial.
“Well I attended not one, but two events hosted by Joanne Murray. One of them you probably heard about.”
“Oh, shit.” I glance over at her. “I did hear about that. Someone said she had a full blown breakdown on stage while giving a speech?”
Mia nods with a heavy sigh. “It was heartbreaking, really. She saw a picture of Peter holding their son when he was in the hospital, and she just lost it. He’s apparently looking to divorce her for some young thing he met down in the country.”
“Wow.” I take a right, shaking my head. “Bloody men, ey?”
“That’s pretty much what I said.” Mia exhales heavily. “I felt so sorry for her. Putting on this front for everyone all these years,putting up with his cheating, and now he’s going to leave her anyway. What did her loyalty get her? Fucking nothing.”
“No, I suppose it didn’t.”
“I never want to be like that,” Mia mutters. “So far gone a man’s just destroyed me and cost me my own sense of self-worth. I’m divorcing Archie the second he gets back.”
“Of course.” I don’t know what else to say.Sorry I raised my son to be such a fucking loser who treats women like garbage?Fat lot of good that’d do either of us.
We finally reach the pub, and the parking lot isn’t too full. Mia looks up at the gold lettering over the door and giggles.
“The Line and Tackle?” She asks incredulously. “What a name.”
“Well, it is right on the river?”
