Translator:
Nyoi-Bo Studio
Editor:
Nyoi-Bo Studio
The sun at 3 p.m. in the afternoon reflected in through the large glass window and shone on the table. The circuit of gold that was inlayed on the ceramic cup looked glittery in the sunlight. The golden yellow cookies looked as if they had been naturally baked under the sun and smelled delicious. Black tea with sugar, in the warm afternoon, with people gathered for chatting formed the traditional English high tea.
Mrs. Clough had finished preparations and was sitting beside her husband. She smiled and listened to the guys’ conversation. Her husband had just completed a liver transplantation surgery and was still in the recovery phase. She felt relieved now that the doctor had said that the operation was quite a success. The old man’s excessive drinking and smoking habits in his younger years, had threatened his health and, ultimately, his life.
His condition especially worsened after he was no longer the manager of Nottingham Forest. There was a period of time when Mrs. Clough felt her husband had even lost the hope and will to live. Thus it was such a pleasure see her husband being so energetic for once.
Walker was telling Tang En’s locker room story. Clough started laughing when Walker said a group of fans appeared inside the changing room and stunned the players and had Bowyer shouting. Bowyer was embarrassed under Clough’s teasing laughter.
Tang En had suspected he would be the subject of the conversation for high tea. As a result, he did not expect Clough to ignore him after he laughed at the story. Clough went on to ask the three old colleagues to update him about their lives and at the same time recalled the times they fought together and the funny things that happened in the changing room in their time, as well. Tang En, as a listener, learned a lot about them. Bowyer and Burns were both key players that followed Clough to the championship of the UEFA Champions League twice. Even Walker was just a junior in front of them. What about Tony Twain… though his position was the highest among the four, he had the least to say. He did not have many things to say as he had no knowledge or memory about football in the 70s and 80s. He could only use it as an opportunity to boost his knowledge.
If he were just a football fan, he would have been so proud and delighted to be there talking with them. He probably would have given his full attention, listening closely to the old players’ and managers’ stories. But as a professional manager, he was depressed.
At first, he was expecting to receive compliments from this king and to be the spotlight of their conversation. He had imagined them all praising him, assuring him, and encouraging him. Yet, none of that happened.
He started to feel distracted and turned to look out of the window more often. Although he thought his actions were natural and that he hid them well, someone still observed them.
As Walker finished the last cookie, Clough stood up with his wife’s help.
I think it’s time for me to walk my dog.
In response, they also stood up and bowed farewell to Clough and Mrs. Clough politely.
Tang En pouted while saying goodbye to them, feeling quite disappointed. Nothing had happened that afternoon, and he felt that he wasted the whole afternoon’s precious time for nothing.
They waved to Clough who was holding his pet dog, Sam, outside of his house, and then the four of them drove back to Nottingham.
On the way back, Walker realized that Twain’s mood was not good. He rolled his eyes as he figured out the reason.
Tony, want to listen to a story?
Okay.
His reply sounded very depressed. He looked exactly like a child that had not gotten his way. Walker snickered in the back.
Burns saw Walker’s face, and he tried to ask him what was up. Walker hinted and secretly pointed at Twain, and Burns guessed the reason.
Have you heard of Roy Keane?
Walker asked.
Of course I’ve heard of him. Who hasn’t? The current captain of Manchester United and the leading defending midfielder in the Premier League and even the whole of football.
When Keane played his first match as a player for Forest, despite losing the match, his performance was not bad. Everyone was talking about this Irish young man who represented Forest for the first time, and they were all asking,
Hey, who the hell is that guy’?
Twain shrugged his shoulders in the front seat.
Except for the final result, it was a successful first showcase.
Everyone thought like that, and Keane was no exception. Then the next day, before training, Keane saw the boss in the changing room, and the boss asked him his name…
Tang En interrupted Walker.
There’s no way that he would not remember the name of a player that he had just fielded for the first time the day before.
Of course he remembered, but he asked anyway. Keane just sincerely answered, ‘Roy’. After that, do you know what the boss did?
No idea.
Twain shook his head.
Walker laughed.
The boss took off his dirty boots that were full of mud from walking his dog around the field. Then he said to Keane, ‘Roy, could you help me clean these?’ And with no hesitation, Roy agreed immediately.
At that point, Tang En turned and looked at Des Walker, who smiled.
You finished with the story?
There is still an ending left. The young guy who helped the boss clean his shoes has since become the leader of Manchester United and the captain of the Ireland National Team.
Twain and Walker looked at each other. After a while, Twain nodded and said,
I got your story. Thank you, Des.
You should thank the boss. If you really want to show your appreciation, just treat me to some drinks tonight.
Walker elbowed Burns, hinting that he would have more businesses.
No problem. You can drink all you want!
Upon understanding Clough’s intention, Tang En’s mood got much better, and his voice raised.
As he watched the road that extended before him, Tang En felt that what he had learned that afternoon would be meaningful for his entire life. Clough had indeed told him something extraordinarily important.
Bloke, you are just a newbie who just joined less than half a year ago, and no one cares about you. It’s too early for you to be proud and arrogant!
The golden shepherd dog was jumping around happily in front of the old man. He went into some bushes and frightened a few wagtails. The wagtails chirped as Sam apparently enjoyed invading their home very much.
After criticizing the shepherd’s home invasion, the beautiful yellowish-green birds hovered at the forest edge, flew in front of the old man, and then far out of sight.
Sam was back from the bushes. The old man bent down and scratched his neck.
Such a bad boy you are. You scared our guests away. Wagtails… I have not seen them for a long time.
Sam moaned and seemed sad. The old man laughed, firmly patting his back.
All right, I know you didn’t mean it. Go and continue to play!
Sam cried happily and ran away, and then the old man made his way up slowly. He looked past Sam, beyond the pasture, beyond the old windmill by the river, beyond the forest ahead, and beyond the city that looked dim… beyond all the way to somewhere far away.
The short forest was scattered around in the early spring. The fallen leaves of the last autumn had long been dissolved into the soil. The fresh and green grass had grown in the charming breeze. It brought about the fishy smell from the soil as well as the scent of the grass. This was the smell of spring.
