Eric Price moved to the quaint chocolate box English Village of Mornington-By-Mere when he got a job with Topliss Engineering, who had set up business on the Mornington Field development, and along with the job he was also able get accommodation.
So he moved into apartment 6 of Lancaster House, which was converted from the old Officers Mess when Mornington Field was an operational RAF Station.
Although he lived in Mornington, Eric was born and bred in Abbottsford and the third Saturday in May was a red letter day for him as his beloved Abbottsford Town “the Knights” were playing Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
Unfortunately he was unable to get a ticket and as he thought he might be reduced to tears by the occasion he elected not to watch it in the Old Mill Inn with his mates, choosing instead to watch it at home on his own, he had even ditched his girlfriend Anita for the afternoon and depending on the result they would either celebrate or commiserate at the pub afterwards, and as he sat in the Black and White quartered shirt of Abbottsford Town watching the preamble he did indeed shed a tear.
It was as the echoes of “abide with me” began to fade that the knock at the door came.
He opened the door and was greeted by his girlfriend Anita Stemmer who also worked for Topliss and lived in the neighbouring block, Dowding House.
She was obviously very eager and affectionate because the instant the front door was closed she launched herself at him but he managed to fend her off long enough to ask her
“What are you doing here? We’re not supposed to be meeting up until later, “after” the cup final”
“I missed you” she replied and her arms around him “and I fancied a snog”
“But I saw you two hours ago” he pointed out “and as I remember it, we had a snog”
“I didn’t know I was rationed” she said and kissed his neck
“But its Cup Final Day” he said prising her arms from around his neck
“But I miss you” she reiterated
“Cup Final” he shouted
“Snog” she shouted back
He managed to keep Anita at arm’s length until the half time whistle blew when he relaxed and let her have her kiss and he was thankful for her unrestrained affection as it took his mind off events on the pitch, where Chelsea had Town on the back foot for the whole of the first half but were shockingly unable to score.
But when the second period kicked off he needed to concentrate and tried to ignore his persistent girlfriend
“What happens if Chelsea win?” she asked as she sat beside him.
“Let’s not even think about that” he said
“It doesn’t really matter though does it?” she said “It’s only a game”
“It’s only a game?” he asked with contempt “It’s only a game?”
“Yes” she said
“Well let me give you a reason to care who wins” he said
“If Chelsea win then my little affectionate Anita doesn’t get another snog today”
A look of horror spread over her face and then she shouted
“Come on the Knights”
Time was running out and although Chelsea completely out played the Knights it was still goalless and as the match entered stoppage time it looked for all the world that the match would go to extra time.
Then midfielder Del Blackmore started to put in a run on goal straight down the middle and twenty five yards out he let fly with his left foot.
Everyone in Black and White in the Wembley crowd were on their feet, Eric was on his feet and Anita held her breath as Tim Dalton, the Chelsea keeper, leapt to his right at full stretch and was left clutching thin air as the ball hit the back of the net.
Eric went absolutely crazy and was jumping up and down and there was an explosion of noise from the Wembley stands which all but drowned out the referee’s whistle, Abbottsford Town had won the FA cup but Anita was staring at the TV with a confused look on her face
“Does that mean I get a snog now?” she asked but Eric was already ahead of her and pulled her to her feet before scooping her up in his arms.
“Time to celebrate” he said with a leer
“Oh goody” she cheered “Up the Knights”
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