Billy Atherton

By John Flannery

This comic novella features an easy-going young Manchester United star striker, Billy Atherton. He craves maturity when he is chosen by a lesbian couple, Sarah and Ellen, to father their child. Sarah Eastwood is a charismatic American nurse who discovers Billy when he arrives at her hospital as an emergency case with a horrific football injury. Sarah’s instincts scream to her that he is The One.

Billy comes into conflict with his devout Catholic mother when he bravely agrees to be the father of Sarah’s child. Sarah mentors Billy using the principle, instilled into her by her American Football coach father, John Eastwood that a great athlete must also be a great person. Billy, Sarah, and their partners are forced to steel themselves when the media start hounding them.

The strong attraction to Billy that Sarah experienced transforms into strong physical love when the pair conceives the child during a special trip to New York. Despite having a long relationship with his childhood sweetheart, Simone, Billy knows that Sarah is The One and that they must be together. Sarah introduces Billy to Jane Austen and Mark Rothko in order to broaden his mind. As time passes their mutual affection becomes a deep, mutual love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Flannery
• Release date: Dec 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311717993

John Flannery

John Flannery was born in 1963. He was brought up in Manchester but he now lives in Fleetwood. John studied Housing Studies at the University of Westminster and graduated in 1992. He decided to become a writer of fiction in 1986 but he did not start writing in earnest until 1995. In 2010 he self-published a collection of short stories entitled Toby's Little Eden and Other Stories that was greeted by a huge tidal wave of public indifference that still overwhelms him to this day. In 2012 he self-published a small collection of short stories called Our Little Secret and Other Stories. He has also published a collection of stries entitled Our Little Secret and Other Stories, a debut novel called God's Gift, and a novella called The Place. In September 2013 John published a novella called Billy Atherton. In November 2013 John published another novella entitled Joshua's Withdrawal. They are all published on Amazon Kindle.

Book preview

Billy Atherton

John Flannery

Copyright © 2013 John Flannery

1

It’s another big Champions League night at the Theatre of Dreams. Seven-year-old mascot, Emily looks up at the Manchester United goalkeeper and smiles. It’s a long way up from where Emily is standing. The goalie smiles and takes hold of her little hand as the two teams file out of the tunnel and onto the pitch while the Champions League anthem blasts out of the Old Trafford PA system. Emily unconsciously tightens her grip on the goalkeeper’s hand.

United’s opponents, Barcelona kick off but they uncharacteristically lose possession rapidly. The ambient noise of a big match can be heard as United surge into the opposition’s half of the pitch: Managers and coaching staff hollering at their players from the Technical Areas; player’s footfalls as they sprint; scuffling noises and boots clashing as hard tackles go in; players shouting at each other; the whistling of the crowd, managers, and referee; players spitting and noisily blowing their noses; exhausted players breathing heavily after a sprint; the sweet sound of a well-struck pass.

Manchester United are now a goal down to Barcelona having conceded a fine goal by Lionel Messi. There are only five minutes of game-time left and the crowd’s anxiety surges upwards into the cauldron of light hovering above the stadium. Billy Atherton, United’s star striker, hurtles into the Barcelona penalty area and unleashes a shot that softly kisses the top of the crossbar. Sixty-eight thousand fans groan with disappointment.

Billy collects a pass with his back to the Barcelona goal. He fights off a hounding defender using his body strength then lays off the ball to a teammate. Billy turns lightning fast and runs into space. A cross hurtles in from the left wing. The ball meets Billy’s forehead. The ball hits the back of the net. The vast crowd becomes one, their ecstasy and relief surging into the freezing cold Manchester air. Billy is engulfed by ecstatic teammates.

It is now the final minute of the game and United are striving to score a winning goal. Billy is being urged into the Barcelona penalty area by sixty-eight thousand voices. A Barcelona defender dives feet first into Billy from the right hand side. He crunches into Billy’s right shin. Millions around the world hear his agonized scream. United’s medical team are running to his aid before he even touches the ground. Some of the players turn away from the sight of Billy’s horrific, grotesquely twisted broken shin bone.

The medics have stabilised Billy’s fracture. He leaves the pitch on a stretcher. He is visibly distressed. He covers his face with his hands. He is close to tears. The pain horribly contorts his face. The crowd applaud him off the field of play and into the darkly lit tunnel.

Billy lies in the bed of a brightly lit Manchester hospital room recovering from the surgery that reset his fractured shin bone several hours earlier. Sat around his bedside are his girlfriend Simone Cole and his mother Jackie Atherton. Billy grimaces with pain. His complexion is sweaty and pale.

Call the nurse, Simone. Press the bloody button again, will you? said Jackie.

Don’t make a fuss, mum. I’m handling it, said Billy.

Don’t be a hero, Billy, said Simone. She presses the button by the bed that summons the nurse. After a few moments the nurse, Sarah Eastwood arrives at Billy’s bedside.

Billy’s pain relief isn’t strong enough, said Jackie.

He’s still in agony, said Simone.

Do you want us to increase your pain relief, Mr Atherton? said Sarah.

No, I’m coping with it, said Billy.

It’s not a competition to see who can handle the most pain, Billy, said Jackie.

I’m okay, said Billy with an angry edge in his voice.

Fair enough, Billy. How are your bowels functioning, love? said Jackie.

They feel a bit loose, said Billy.

When did you last move them? said Jackie.

Just before the match.

Are you ready to move them again?

Not at the moment.

I could do with checking them out before we go, said Jackie doing a quick mental calculation relating to Billy’s pre-match meal.

During Jackie’s very British concern with Billy’s bowel movements, Sarah, who is an American, struggled to keep a straight face. But now it’s over she smiles at Billy and briskly leaves the room.

It is now midnight. Simone and Jackie have reluctantly gone home leaving their beloved Billy all alone in the now dimly lit hospital room. Sarah is assisting Billy to the toilet. He is on crutches and on his right leg there is a plastic support boot. After four or five laborious and tentative steps, Billy loses his balance. Sarah deftly corrects his stumble and expertly steadies him.

Thanks, it’s a good job you’re very strong, said Billy.

I work out four or five times a week, said Sarah.

I don’t know how you nurses cope with all the pain and death. Every week I get paid four or five times your annual salary. It’s not fair.

But if you pay your taxes then you’re indirectly paying my wages. And technically you’re not being overpaid because your wages reflect your true market value.

Spoken like a true American woman. Where were you born?

New York.

The Big Apple, said Billy carefully entering the toilet.

After a few minutes, Billy emerges from the toilet. The couple begin their journey back to Billy’s bed.

Have you moved your bowels yet, Mr Atherton? said Sarah using a formal, English accent.

I certainly have. Did you want to closely examine them, mother?

Forget about it, said Sarah reverting back to her New York accent.

When I get a bit more mobile I’m going to throw a big ‘thank you’ party for all the medical staff who have helped me through all this stuff.

Thanks, I hope you get a good night’s sleep.

It’s two AM and Billy is sleeping a deep, healing sleep despite the pain in his lower leg. Sarah slowly approaches Billy’s bed. She looks down at him sleeping soundly. Her silent vigil continues for