Football Fever
Chapter 6: England v Portugal

Neil Manson woke up and smiled across at the woman lying next to him. Twenty four hours ago he wouldn't have thought that things would work out so well. He was finally with the woman he loved and she knew how he felt and she felt the same way too. Neil was also finally free of his now loveless marriage to Philippa. The divorce would be coming through soon and he couldn't wait to break all of his ties with Philippa and start his future with Andrea. The only thing that was stopping him from embracing his fresh start was his son. Neil loved Jake so much and would do anything for him to make him happy. When Neil had told Andrea that he was sure he would get regular access to Jake he had been confident but now he wasn't quite so sure. Neil knew that having a respectable job like being a Detective Inspector with the police would help his case but the irregular working hours would not. Also Neil knew that the fact that his soon to be ex wife was a barrister would not go in his favour and Judges were more liking to take the mother's side. If the truth about his affair with Andrea came out it was bound to have a negative effect on the case as well as tainting his reputation at work. Still, it was worth it for Jake. Andrea stirred and Neil felt some of the stress leave him as she smiled up at him.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Phil asked as he took some of Sam's bags from her at the front door. Someone had reduced Samantha Nixon to tears and he wasn't having it. They put the bags down in the hallway and Phil drew Sam into his arms.
"It's that bastard." She said through tears and gritted teeth.
"Turner?" Phil guessed.
"How did you guess that?" Sam replied sarcastically. Phil paused from where he had been wiping her tears from her face.
"That's it. No one makes you cry and gets away with it." He said, heading towards the door but Sam caught him by the hand.
"No Phil, don't sink to his level. He'll be out of the way soon anyway, he's applied for a transfer and the DCI's approved it."
"Really?" Phil asked. "That's great news!"
"I know." Sam smiled, feeling happier now. "And it means that Suzie gets her promotion to DS."
Phil pulled her into another hug. "Good news for everyone then?"
"Yeah." Sam grinned. "Especially for us. You are okay with me moving in with you though?"
"Of course! It's what I've always wanted!" Phil told her.
"Good. I didn't want to cramp your style as a bachelor!" Sam joked.
"Why would I want a single life when I can have you?"

"It went really well today, don't you think?" Suzie asked Zain on their way home from her parent's house. "I don't know why I was so worried about it."
"They approved of me then?" Zain asked, pulling up in a parking space outside Suzie's house.
"Yeah, they think I've done really well for myself." Suzie said.
"Don't sound so surprised!" Zain teased her.
"I'm not, I agree with them." Suzie replied as she unlocked her front door.
Zain smiled as he shut the door and hugged her. "I think we've got some serious celebrating to do Detective Sergeant Suzie Sim."
"It's not official yet..."
"Aww come of it Suze. Who else are they going to choose? None of us have taken our Sergeant's exams yet!" Zain reasoned.
"But Jack might bring in someone new like he did with Stuart." Suzie argued.
Zain shook his head. "No way, Jack'll never do that to you again, not when he's got such a good detective to promote."
Suzie smiled, she really hoped he was right.

Once more the Sun Hill coppers assembled in the Pub for England's latest match against Portugal. Everyone seemed to be happy and the atmosphere was relaxed. Suzie and Zain were sat close together on stools, Andrea and Neil were holding hands in full view of everyone. He had been granted weekend access to Jake and everyone was happy for him and Andrea. Sam and Phil were sat at a table for two, dividing their time between gazing into each other's eyes and watching the game. Smithy was sat alone, his drink untouched and his attention anywhere but on the football match. Kerry hadn't shown up and he was worried about her.
"You alright?" Kezia asked on her way the bar. Smithy dragged himself out of his daze.
"Yeah ta." He replied.
"If you're sure..." Kezia continued.
"Just worried about Kerry, she should have been here ages ago."
"She'll turn up. She probably got held up at work or something." Kezia suggested.
"Thanks, you're probably right." Smithy gave a small smile and Kezia took her refilled glass back over to the table she was sharing with Terry, Ramani, Mickey and Mia.

Smithy tried to concentrate on the match and by the time they got to penalties he was getting back into it. Tensions were running high as the penalties were taken.
"Come on!" Terry and Mickey shouted.
"I don't believe it!" Zain said.
"No way!" Phil joined in.
"You're kidding!" Smithy added.
Honey and Yvonne looked at each other, they decided it was safer not to remind them that it was 'just a game.'
"So, it's Portugal 1 - England 0." The reported on the screen said. "England are out of the World Cup 2006."
Just then Kerry rushed into the bar and Smithy looked round, his anxiety disappearing.
"Kerry! Where have you been, you missed the match!" He said.
Kerry's expression was serious. "We need to talk."
"Ook..." Smithy said and followed her outside to Kerry's car.
"I've just come from the doctor's..." She began.
"Is everything alright?" Smithy asked, becoming worried again.
"That's what I need to talk to you about. I know it's a bit of a shock but Dale, I'm pregnant!"

Ooh..err...well that was the second last chapter, the next one will be an epilogue at set at either the 2010 or 2014 World Cup with kiddies involved! Hehe! Anyway, please please review 'cause I love getting reviews and knowing what you guys think. I've kinda planned names for the kids but any help in reviews or over MSN would be appreciated. Take care, luv vikki xx.