‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  Arnold Stepson, a gangly fresh- faced lad from the country had come to The Big City for the excitements it had to offer. He left’  home’  to get away from the boredom of the small Shropshire village of Oakfield. For some years now he had been edgy and restless and felt he must prove to himself that he could make it on his own.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  A few months on from this adventurous decision he was relatively satisfied’  with the way things were turning out.’  He had a position in the collections department of a large manufacturing firm and even had made a friend.’ ‘ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  The ways of the young in London were so strange to him that for a time he had barely spoken – afraid to be taken immediately for a country yokel. A shy lad, he was uneasy with strangers. His first two months alone had taught him the meaning of loneliness.’ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  His first landlady’™s questions: ‘œ Where are you from?’  Are your parents living? Still together?’  How many are you in the family?’œ estranged her from him at the outset.’  But her home in the Northern suburbs was quiet and suited him after the hectic pace of the city so very different to the plodding pace of life in Oakfield.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œWhat’™s your name?’ This time the voice was gentle, even pleasant and coming, as it did from behind him, lifted him a few inches from his seat.’  It was his first meeting with Nancy at the office but not the first time their eyes had met.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  Nancy he had taken a fancy to from the first but never could’  pluck up sufficient courage’  to approach.’  She was slim, fair- haired and’  bright.’  She worked’  as’  a ‘œcomp’’  girl, entering’  figures into a computer with a dexterity that never failed to amaze him.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  Secretly he was pleased that she had broken the ice.’  He stood to face her and answered almost coyly and with down- turned glance, ‘œArnold.’’ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  Nancy’™s smile was fleeting, so much so that when he lifted his gaze to her he encountered an expression’  which was kindly and serious.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œNew to London?’
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œEr.. yes,’’  a little abashed and then after a pause, ‘œfrom Shropshire.’’  He blushed, realising that he had spoken almost apologetically. He so wanted to make a good impression, to behave nonchalantly – manly. He had felt like kicking himself.’ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  He recalled now’  that first, shy meeting, and was glad that he had made quite some progress since feeling that he was now able to pass off’  as a Londoner.’  He was still a little bashful, but at least much freer with people.’  More confident.’ ‘  He was particularly pleased that Nancy,’  for reasons of her own, had taken to him.’ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  He glanced up from his desk to see her.’  She was busy entering figures. For a while he watched her long, delicate fingers racing over the keys.’ ‘  A surge of pleasure passed through him and he smiled to himself.’  She was so gentle and feminine he thought.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œNancy!’’  His whisper barely reached her, but she stopped and turned to smile a quick smile as if expecting the call.’  Soundlessly,’  only his lips moving, he formed the word: Tonight.’ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  She nodded with a knowing, brief smile and returned once again to her keyboard.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  They had tickets to a Final at Wembley.’  Tottenham versus’  Arsenal.’  Arnold thought back to the time many years back, as a lad of’  eight he began to be an Arsenal fan.’  The players had become his heroes.’ ‘  Not in his wildest dreams did he think he would actually watch his team in action at a football Final.’ ‘  But now he would not only be doing’  just that, but going with a girl he admired.’ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  The day dragged to a close.’ ‘  The lights dimmed.’  Desks were cleared.’  Glances exchanged. ‘œIsn’™t this just wonderful, Nancy?’  Have you been to a final before?’’  They were walking up the main street approaching the Stadium.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œOnly once,’ she said looking at him in such a way that made him feel proud.’  ‘œWith my Dad and brother.’  But I much prefer going with you, Arnold.’œ’ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  Arnold didn’™t know why, but when Nancy spoke his name, it sounded’  special. Everything was going so well.’  Near Wembley they began joining throngs of people going to the match.’  There was jostling and much excitement.’  Speculation was on every tongue as to who would win. Hero figures analysed and discussed with pride.’ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  Arnold’™s blood began tingling as he became caught up in the excitement of the crowd.’  He held Nancy’™s hand.’  He had not dared’  place an arm around her waist though he so longed to.’  So many others were doing just that – and so casually.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œArnold, how would you like to go dancing?’
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œDancing? ‘œ’  He felt a shyness creeping over him.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œBut I can’™t dance.’  I’™ve never tried.’
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œI’™ll teach you.’  Its easy – and great fun.’  I’™m sure you’™ll love it.’
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œI think I would, Nancy.’  I would love to dance – with you. especially.’
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œNext week then.’œ’  And with both the game and something new to look forward to, Arnold allowed himself to be happily jostled to their places high in the grand stand.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  They were lucky. Their seats overlooked the’  goal.’  The field was in immaculate condition and from their places,’  appeared almost as an aerial view.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œArsenal!’  Up Arsenal!’  Give ‘œem the works!’’  Arnold’  was almost surprised to find himself’  shouting at the top of his lungs with’  thousands of others’  around.’  Nancy’™s shrill voice joined his and to him was intoxicating.’ ‘  Nor did their shouts cease until the final whistle.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œWe won!’  Nancy!’  We won!’’  With delight Arnold’™s voice, now hardly more than a whisper from being hoarse,’  came to her.’ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  Nancy pressed’  Arnold’™s hand, and, as if had been the most natural thing in the world he now slipped his arm around Nancy’™s waist to support her in the crush as they made their way down the aisle to the main gate.’  It was some minutes later that Arnold realised what he had done and became somewhat self- conscious wondering whether to let his arm remain there.’ ‘  But he overcame his shyness and they hurried on happily catching the last train north.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  By a stroke of luck her place’  was almost on the way to his own lodgings. He had decided he would see Nancy to her door.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  The night was pleasant.’  The lane with the rows and rows of similar houses was quite deserted and their footsteps echoed in the silence as they walked.’ ‘  The dimly lit street , the damp night air lent the street a certain intimacy, a mystique, and, but for the two of them,’  was quite deserted.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  Then, without warning, an urge came upon Arnold that threw him into semi terror.’  The last thing in the world he had considered.’  There had come upon him suddenly a need to urinate. Arnold became worried.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œOf all things,’ he thought to himself.’  ‘œAnd of all times!’
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  The more he worried,’  the more the urge pressed itself upon him.’  He looked about him surreptitiously, seeking some dark corner, some’  patch of public garden.’  Something!’  But the street continued, endlessly, ahead.’  He felt at a loss.’  The pressure in his bladder returned growing worse by the moment’  aided’  by his subconscious.’ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œIt’™s so pleasant to be walking quietly alone with you, Nancy. Away from the crowd.’’  Arnold’  tried desperately to sound casual.’  Hoped Nancy had not noticed the tension in his face.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œYes,’ she answered sweetly.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  They were walking mostly in silence and but for the build up of pressure, Arnold had never felt so aware of the meaning of the comfort of companionship.’ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  Arnold prayed as he had never prayed in his life that’  they would finally reach Nancy’™s home. That she would say: ‘œHere we are.’’ ‘  But she didn’™t.’  The street and they just went on’  and on.’ ‘  To Arnold, It’  seemed forever.’ ‘ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  Suddenly there was another surge and’  the pressure became unbearable. ‘œHe would release just a little,’ he thought ‘“ and did.’ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  Ahh!’  There! Just a little.’  How glad he was of the gloom.’  The half light’  would probably hide any sign of wet.’  But then – horror of horrors – he just had to release more.’  ‘œPerhaps just a little,’’  he persuaded’  himself and,’  once again ,the relief was great.’ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  But the pressure returned a third time and this time he threw all caution to the wind.’  He just had to. He began, gradually, to relieve himself. He felt the warm liquid running down his right leg.’  Felt his trouser becoming wet and sticky.’  He endeavoured to carry on’  a casual conversation.’ ‘ ‘ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œNancy, you know I am looking forward to go dancing with you next week.’  Where will we go?’
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  In his wildest nightmares he never envisioned such an absurd situation.’ ‘  Never dreamt of being in such straits – and with a girl that he so much wanted to impress.’  Still making every effort to appear casual, yet keenly aware of the warm liquid running down his leg and soaking his trouser.’  On the one hand this granted him great relief,’ ‘  but on the other, placing him in such a predicament.’  He thought that nothing worse could happen – until it actually’  did!’ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  Gradually at first, a squelching sound began to be heard from his shoe!’ ‘  This, surely, Nancy was bound to hear!’  ‘œHow much further to your home?’’  Arnold spoke a little louder than normal trying his best to keep his voice calm while panic mounted.’  Tried his best to keep his words flowing’  and in time with his squelching step.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œDear God!’, whispered Arnold to himself in desperation, ‘œplease get me out of this mess!’’  No sooner had he voiced his prayer when’  quite suddenly, the sky opened up and it began to rain!’  It rained heavily. To Arnold this was the sweetest most refreshing rain he had ever known.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  Nancy shreaked wanted to run, but Arnold held her hand in his, raised his face to the sky and shouted happily, ‘œIt’™s raining, Nancy!’  It’™s raining!’  How wonderful!’, and still holding Nancy’™s hand they began racing up the road, both laughing joyously.’  At that moment to Arnold,’ ‘  that rain’  was the’  very best thing that had happened that day.
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œHere we are! ‘’  Nancy’™s longed for words came now almost disappointingly to the boy. In the shelter of the porch Arnold held both Nancy’™s hands in his. He looked at her endearingly his face dripping and with a broad smile said,’  ‘œWhat a lovely end to a perfect day, Nancy.’
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  ‘œYes, Arnold,’ she answered now facing him and smiling happily too.’  ‘œA lovely day. Goodnight, Arnold.’’  Nancy leaned towards him and her lips’  brushed his cheek lightly.’ 
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘  A feeling of joy flooding through him, he let go of Nancy’™s hand as she closed the door softly behind her.