At noon Tommy started to pace around his house waiting for Barbara to arrive. It was unusual for him not to know what to wear but her instructions had been scant and he had no idea of what her version of casual might mean. He had selected a pair of slightly faded jeans and a plain blue cotton shirt over which he wore a lightweight grey jumper and navy woollen coat. He stood staring at the mirror pondering if a scarf might be too much. He had no idea why he was unsettled but was annoyed that his usual confidence had deserted him.

When Barbara arrived he waited to answer the door, not wanting to appear too anxious. He surreptitiously checked her out from the bay window; jeans, her usual parka and what looked like a woollen scarf around her neck. He grabbed his scarf and tossed it over his coat as he passed the coatrack. Annoyed that he was still nervous he took a deep breath and opened the door. "Good afternoon Barbara."

"Hi Sir, are you ready?"

He nodded and grabbed his coat, wrapping the scarf loosely around his neck. As he locked the door he asked, "so are you going to tell me where we're headed?"

"Nup! You might change your mind."

Tommy laughed and followed her. Two buses later he had learned how to tap on and off properly, clearly alerting Barbara to the fact that he had not travelled by bus in years. They alighted near the Stamford Bridge Stadium and joined the throng of supporters surging towards the gates. "A soccer match! I didn't know you are a football fan Barbara."

"I'm not but it is something I have wanted to do for a long time. Have you ever been?"

"No, I'm more of a rugby man but this will be fun. Do we have a side we are barracking for?"

"The ones in red but the blue ones are probably more your demographic. You can go for them if you like."

"I'm not sure how to take that," he replied laughing, "more of your class divisions? For once

I think we should support the same side!" She did not reply but crinkled her nose at him cheekily.

They found their seats easily and Tommy thought the tightly packed blue plastic seats were sheer luxury compared to the wooden benches he used to sit on to watch the Harlequins play. The man next to him smelt strongly of onions and beer and the lady behind kept kicking his seat with her foot. The stands were filling quickly and the buzz of expectation rang around the ground. The fans at one end started to sing 'Blue is the Colour', the club anthem of the team that Tommy was not supporting today. It was a catchy tune though and he started to hum it to tease Barbara. "See I knew you wouldn't be able to resist yourself," she said.

He laughed and said, "yes I can. I am not as predictable as you think Havers."

"Yeah? You'll always be blue and I'll always be red." Her voice held no malice but it was accusing.

"It's only a soccer match Barbara." He hoped this was not going to turn into an argument.

"No, I mean in all things. You're always going to be the blue, the conservative with access to everything, and I'll always be the red, the underdog that has to fight for anything."

"That's not fair Barbara. I thought we'd moved on from all this class nonsense. And if you mean conservative as in Tory, I'll have you know I haven't always voted for them. I actually have quite progressive views on social justice. Surely you must have seen some of that side of me in eight years?"

Barbara looked at him strangely. "Sorry, I was only teasing you. Your politics are none of my business Sir. My mother always said it wasn't polite to discuss, politics, religion or sex," she said trying to lighten the mood. "Besides what makes you think l don't vote Tory?"

Tommy chuckled,"as you say it is not polite to ask."

Their seats were mid-row and they all had to stand to let an older couple past. The woman sat next to Barbara and started to chat to them. "Mixed marriage isit?" she asked after a few minutes. Tommy and Barbara both frowned. "Well yer scarf makes it plain who you support but yer 'ubby seems too posh for 'em! I thought for sure it's yer ann'al grudge match."

Barbara tried to explain that they were not actually married and that Lynley was her boss. The woman tapped the side of her nose knowingly. "I git it love, you're his bit on the side eh?," she said nudging Barbara in the ribs. "As long as he looks after yer. A right Lord 'e looks! Ain't half bad an' all," she continued as she looked Tommy up and down. "He could park 'is shoes under me bed anyday!"

Tommy stifled his laughter into the sleeve of his coat. He only wished he had taken a photo of Barbara's face. "I might leave you two lovely ladies to chat," he said in his best House of Lords voice, "would you like a beer my dear?" Barbara glared at him but her eyes were laughing and Tommy made his escape. By the time he returned to his seat some of the beer had spilt over the rims of the flimsy plastic cups as he had jostled with the crowd. "You can go at half time."

"No darling," she said, "I think you should look after me." Tommy rolled his eyes in a perfect imitation of Barbara and they both laughed. He was enjoying himself.

"Did you ever play?" Barbara asked him as they sipped their beers

"Soccer? No, but I played Rugby at school and then for college at Oxford."

Barbara suddenly push his hair back. Her touch shocked him and he stiffened slightly unsure what to do as she ran her hand over his left ear. "No you didn't," she said, "your ears aren't all swollen and lumpy."

Tommy laughed. "Lumpy ears as you call them come from playing in the packs. I was usually inside centre so I rarely got near the pack."

"Right," she replied vaguely.

"Do you know much about rugby?"

"Only the few bits I've seen on telly. At least I know the shape of the ball is different and that it is quite violent."

"Yes they say soccer is a gentleman's game played by thugs and rugby is a thug's game played by gentlemen. I'll take you one day." Barbara grunted non-commitally. "It would be fun and I think you'd enjoy the way they crunch into each other. The Harlequins are entertaining to watch."

"Harlequins? Do they wear court jester costumes?"

Lynley thought this was hilarious. "In a way yes. Yes they do." Barbara frowned at him.

The game started and the ball was passed up and down the pitch at a frenzied pace. Tommy admired the skills of long kicks and sharp passes and started to get into his full barracking stride. He also observed Barbara who seemed far less interested in the game and he wondered why she had suggested coming. He presumed it must have been something on her bucket list. He could understand why she would not have wanted to come alone but he had been too easily absorbed in the sport of it to be good company. He took more care to talk to her about the game and what was happening which seemed to heighten her interest.

At half time he left her being harangued by the couple next to her about the poor refereeing as he went for more beer. Neither team had scored and the locals seemed a bit restless. He was surprised Barbara thought he would be one of them. As he stood at the end of the row, beers in hand, waiting to squeeze past everyone's knees he watched Barbara. She was staring out at the ground and looked decidedly sad. He frowned wondering what was wrong but when he sat down her smile came back.

The second half ebbed and flowed like the first and he gave her a running commentary which seemed to amuse her. When a player plainly faked an injury he stood with the rest of the red supporters and yelled mild abuse at the referee, mainly to make Barbara smile. "Sir, you don't have to get that into it," she whispered when he sat. He was delighted that in the eighty-eighth minute their team scored. He hugged Barbara around the shoulders and cheered with the rest of the supporters. Barbara looked bemused.

As they left the ground the crowds pressed in on them. Tommy took Barbara's hand. It seemed a natural thing to do but she shook it free. "What are you doing Sir?" she demanded.

"I didn't want to get separated in the crowd."

"I'm not seven. I will find you again. If I want to."

Lynley was mildly hurt but he had not meant to offend her. "Yes, I'm sorry."

The walked in silence towards the buses but Barbara groaned when she saw the queues. "We can walk," Tommy suggested, "it's only about forty minutes but there is a great pub on the way and then I'll drive you home." She looked at him as if she was trying to decide. "They have great chips."

"Alright," she relented.

As they walked along they chatted about the game. "Thanks for coming with me today," Barbara said suddenly.

"My pleasure. I enjoyed it. It's been a long time since I did anything like that." He smiled generously at her but her smile was grim. "Are you sorry I didn't feel more ill at ease?"

"No! It wasn't payback for the opera thing." She paused as if deciding whether to speak. "My brother followed them and when he was sick I promised to take him and then later he made me promise one day I would go. I've wanted to but not alone. This seemed a good opportunity."

Tommy was stunned. He had had no idea but that explained the scarf and the sadness. He draped his arm over her shoulder and hugged her to him as they walked. "I'm honoured that you let me be the one to accompany you." He kept his arm there longer than normal but she did not object.

It was almost six o'clock when they walked into the pub. It was quite crowded but the barman recognised Tommy and escorted them to a small room off the main bar where there were a few other couples. Tommy exchanged pleasantries with an old friend before they sat down. He ordered two meals and two pints.

"You come here a lot then." It was a statement, not a question.

Tommy was uncertain whether to say anything but decided it was better to be honest. "It's a bit of a hangout for Eton old boys I'm afraid."

"And you bought me here?"

"Yes but we can leave if it makes you uncomfortable." Tommy tried hard not to sigh or look annoyed. It was only a pub after all, not an audience with the Queen.

Barbara looked around but no one was staring at them. "Their chips better be very good," she replied begrudgingly. Under her breath but loud enough for him to hear she added, "but Barbara I'm not a blue!" His face reddened as he smiled at her, admitting she had a point.

As they ate Tommy was amused that she ate her chips quickly then asked him questions to distract him while her little hand snuck across to his plate and stole a chip. She had only eaten some of her steak so Tommy asked innocently, "is that Hillier over there?" She swung her head in horror and he forked her steak and moved it deliberately slowly onto his plate.

She turned back and caught him the started to laugh. "Oi! That's not very Eton of you Sir."

"Quite the contrary Havers, you have never witnessed growing boys in a dining hall have you? Anyway seeing you ate all my carbohydrates I needed extra protein."

"You get plenty of carbs from that beer you're scoffing. I think I should call a cab. I can't have you arrested for DUI taking me home."

Lynley looked at his watch. It was nearly seven-thirty. "It's right in the peak for cabs now. Come back to my place and we'll order one from there. The address tends to prioritise the response times."

"I'll bet it does M'Lord!" Tommy raised his eyebrows in mock annoyance.

The walk took them about twenty minutes. It was a pleasant but cool evening and Tommy was glad of the warmth of his coat. As he unlocked his door he tried to think of an excuse to prolong the evening. He did not fancy spending the rest of the evening alone. "Let me play you Turandot."

"That would be nice Sir but some other time yeah. It's getting late and you'll be wanting your evening to do something. But thanks again for giving up your day to come with me. I appreciated it." She smiled shyly but did not look at him properly. "I had fun."

"I enjoyed it too Barbara, very much. Just let me play you one aria please. It will make sense I promise."

"I presume an aria is not the whole thing?"

"No, just one song."

"Okay then." She followed him into his house and let him help her with her coat. She sat on his lounge while he fixed them drinks and found his CD. "This is a classic recording from 1974 sung by Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti. I like the way their voices blend but this aria, Nessun Dorma, was his signature song."

The was a pause then orchestral introduction and choral backing slowly started to fill the room before Pavarotti's voice broke in singing firmly but evenly. Tommy watched Barbara's reaction. She seemed impassive, possibly bored at first but when she heard the tenor's voice lift and start to soar Tommy saw the spark of recognition. "This was a World Cup theme," she exclaimed as her face broke into a grin.

"Not quite, but the BBC used it for their coverage back in 1990."

The music continued to play and Barbara listened as she spoke. "This is from the opera you're going to see?"

"Yes, the one we are going to see."

"Will you play it again for me and explain what it means?"

Tommy fetched his remote and sat beside her on the lounge, closer than was strictly necessary. "I won't explain the whole opera tonight but basically the main character, Calef, had to answer three riddles in order to win the hand of Princess Turandot. He did but she still won't marry him so one night he offers her a choice. If she can guess his name by dawn she can have him killed but if she fails she must marry him. She's very hard-hearted so orders that everyone stay awake to find out who he is and if they fail she will have them killed."

"Why would he want to marry such a horrible woman?" Barbara asked.

"He loves her and he can see her passion underneath her icy exterior."

"Sounds unrealistic to me. So what happens?"

"Oh no, you have to let me play the whole thing in context but I will translate this particular aria for you. Caleb is in the garden and can hear the guards telling the people

Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma! "None shall sleep!... None shall sleep!"

Tu pure, o, Principessa, nella tua fredda stanza, guardi le stelle che tremano d'amore e di speranza. "Even you, o Princess, in your cold room, watch the stars, that tremble with love and with hope."

Ma il mio mistero è chiuso in me, il nome mio nessun saprà! "But my secret is hidden within me, my name no one shall know."

No, no, sulla tua bocca lo dirò quando la luce splenderà! "No! No! On your mouth I will say it when the light shines."

Ed il mio bacio scioglierà il silenzio che ti fa mia! "And my kiss will dissolve the silence that makes you mine!"

Then the people can be heard singing, Il nome suo nessun saprà! e noi dovrem, ahime, morir, morir! "No one will know his name and we must, alas, die, die!"

Dilegua, o notte! Tramontate, stelle! Tramontate, stelle! All'alba vincerò! vincerò, vincerò! "Vanish, o night! Fade, stars! Fade, stars! At dawn, I will win! I will win! I will win!"

"That's quite beautiful and when you understand what it's about I guess it sort of...adds to it."

"Yes, it does."

"I get that it's a stirring piece of music but why would they choose that for the soccer?"

"I think because it is about the pursuit of your dream and confidence in victory."

Barbara's face lit up with enthusiastic innocence. "I like that Sir, play it again for me please."

Tommy smiled at her, the way that he smiled only for her.