FM Stories Chapter 1

I turned to look out the window, squinting at the brightness of the snow white clouds and the brilliant blue sky. I calculated that the plane must be at least 40,000 feet up and that was safe enough, for me. I loved flying, no matter where I sit I could always get comfortable. The pretty, smiling stewardess, a young, blonde-haired German girl approached with my Espresso and pastry that I eagerly accepted. A middle aged business man next to me, dressed in a fashionable suit ripped open a minuscule bag of pretzels, tipped them out onto a napkin and devoured them, one at a time. I glanced at my watch, only an hour and half and I would be in England . Then a short train journey to Scunthorpe there would be no limousine waiting for me.

I am a 30 year old guy that had a dream of becoming the best football manager in the world. Wanting to complete that, I will have to first climb up from below. Who doesn't if they want to feel the taste of success. This is where my career begin, managing a hopeless football club to try to taste the success I have desired always. A whole new life and a promising future awaits me.

It took an unexpected call from my wife’s uncle to galvanize me back into action. Uncle Keith Wagstaff newly installed as Director of Football at Scunthorpe United, had it turned out guaranteed me as a prospective candidate. My wife, Sophie, had tired of New Zealand and although she would never tell me outright, secretly longed to return home to Singapore. She poured out her feelings in a one-sided conversation on a visit to a garden centre. The only response I could offer her had been to ask her if she wanted an ice-cream. But actions speak louder than words. Scunthorpe needed a manager before the start of the season, I needed a new direction and my family wanted a new start.

The man next to me chewed on another pretzel. I heard the sound of food being served. But I wasn’t hungry. I carefully folded my napkin making sure the remains of my pastry were secure. I turned, looked down the aisle, but sleep started to overcome me. I closed my eyes and drifted away.