Charlotte Browne - Kirby

Well, its alright, said Stephen Kirby, sighing deeply. Its hardly the Pennine mountain though, is it?

His wife Denise laughed. Oh Stephen, come on, its an area of outstanding beauty!

Yeah, so they might say down here, Deni, but they havent seen what we grew up around, have they, eh?

Stephen put his arm around his wife. They were looking out across the sweeping Chiltern Hills, a short drive, not far from their home on the outskirts of Reading. Their two small children Frances and James were with them.

It had been several years since the Kirbys had made the move south from Sunderland near Tyne and Wear to Berkshire. Since then Stephen had been working night shifts with Great Western Railway, the train company. Also, Deni worked as a nurse in a nearby hospital, so this was a rare day out for them all to enjoy as a family.

You dont regret moving, do you? Deni asked her husband.

What, giving up what would have been a dazzling career with Sunderland Academy? Stephen replied with a twinkle in his eye.

Deni snorted again. Oh, Stephen!

Dont laugh! If it hadnt been for that blasted injury Id have sent Sunderland AFC soaring up into the Premier League! Or back to our good old former glory days of 36 at least!

She patted him on the arm. Im sorry, pet, I know how much football means to you.

Its okay. Nah, really dont regret it. Well, you know, course I miss the river Wear. Oh, the walks along there

We have the Thames!

Pah!

She smiled. And of course, our families back home.

Yeah, I miss them too. They were both silent for a moment, contemplating.

Well, obviously I moved down here to get away from your family!

Oh Stephen!

You wouldnt get them moving down here to live with a load of southerners.

She chuckled. They still look a bit puzzled when I call you pet!

I know!

Strange to think, our children arent going to grow up with Geordie accents.

Not if I can help it!

They looked over at their two children, Frances and James, who were playing with a football. At four and three years old respectively, barely a year between them, for the most part they played sweetly with each other. Unless a football was involved. Then gentle play often turned to outright war as they both tried to gain control of it.

James! Deni cried, as he tackled his younger sister to the floor. Careful!

Ah, its in the genes, said Stephen proudly. Destiny. He actively encouraged his childrens love of the sport and had taken them to a few Sunderland games already that year.

Ill make sure I pass the mantle of greatness on to my son thats for sure, he added.

Deni laughed. Oh go away with you, Stephen! Although I wouldnt underestimate your daughters talents either!

No, he said thoughtfully, youre right.

They both looked on as Fran, undeterred, was back off the ground, chasing enthusiastically after her brother who was heading off down the hill. She was tiny, even for her age group, but fast on her feet and sturdy.

Go on, Frances! Go on! her dad encouraged. She caught her brother up, kicked the ball away from him and began to dribble it.

See! said Deni. Shes quite something.

Natural instinct already! See its in the genes!

Deni laughed. Well, it looks as though we might have a proper pair of football stars on our hands to coach!

Yeah, as long as they support Sunderland! Not Reading heaven forbid.

Well at least Reading are in the First Division!

They both laughed as they continued to stroll through the countryside and snap photos of the pair battling it out for the ball.

Well have to send some photos back home, said Deni.

Forever my Sunderland, I will stand by you my blood runs red and white

Oh dont sing, Stephen, it sounds bad!