The Rule of Law

Scott: Still, Craig Shakespeare is <3 Cheers mate

Justice: Couldn't think of a more apt GIF

As Everton got the game underway, Alex looked around the ground. Almost every fan had brought a scarf, banner or flag. A few even had Alex’s name on them.

As soon as Leicester won possession, they immediately swept the ball out to the left to find Alex, just as they were instructed to do in every game since he had returned from Brighton. Alex had the ball at his feet – and then suddenly the whole ground went quite. All eyes were on the action. The fans who had worked all month to come and watch this game - they were all here to watch Alex. To see some magic flow and see him deliver.

Alex knocked the ball down the line past Bryan Oviedo and raced after it at speed. However, in a straight foot race, he had been beaten to the ball. Oviedo knocked the ball out for a throw-in easily and turned, laughing at Alex. “Is that all you’ve got?” he smirked, chucking the ball to Alex. “I heard you were quick!”

Inside, Alex felt sick. His whole body was squirming and he could feel a weakness within him. The next time Alex received the ball – this time from a delicate chip down the line from Robert Huth – he went for it again, but he just couldn’t get past Oviedo. He tackled him with an inch-perfect sliding challenge, keeping the ball too as he sprinted forward from defence.

“Come on, Alex,” he could hear from the Leicester fans, almost begging him. “Don’t flop now! We need you, mate. Arsenal are winning against Villa!”

Meanwhile, the travelling opposition fans were targeting Alex for their mocking as he struggled to get the better of Oviedo. Alex felt angry. His temples were pulsating as he fumed at his own inability to get the better of his marker. Alex could only look on helplessly when on the cusp of half-time, Huth accidentally headed an Everton corner into the back of his own net. Leicester fans had been silenced. Their hopes extinguished.

---

”And we cross over immediately to The Emirates, where Arsenal are taking on Aston Villa. There’s been a very early goal in the second half. Leicester fans, listen up!”

“Yes Jeff, you join us here where Aston Villa have just conceded with Jordan Ayew getting an equaliser here in North London! It’s now one-all! Jordan Ayew may have just done Leicester a massive favour! So, with this game all even, it’s now back in Leicester’s hands! If they can find a way back against Everton, they can win the leag—hang on, stay with us here! Arsenal are back on the attack, they’ve got to against one, it’s Girouuuud! GOAAAL! Arsenal go back into the lead! Now that’s what champions are made of!”

As the drama of events with Arsenal filtered around the King Power Stadium, Leicester fans were glued to their phone screens, jumping up and doing, screaming and booing. If they were feeling the summertime heat, so too were the players. Sweat ran down Alex’s forehead. He still couldn’t find a way past Oviedo on the left.

“I think I’m gonna take him off,” said Ranieri to Craig Shakespeare. “What do you think?”

“You know what I think boss,” Shakespeare said with a big, broad smile. “You never bet against Alex Law.”

With an extensive break in play due to a bad injury sustained to an Everton player, it allowed time for the players of both teams to take on board advice from their coaches. “Hey, Alex! Alex!” he heard familiar voices shouting. It was the Brighton squad, all of them! At the front was Tomer Hemed trying to get Alex’s attention. “You’ve got a job to do my friend,” he said. “The reason you’re on that pitch and I’m not is because you’ve got skill I can only dream of. Just play like you did at Brighton, OK?”

Craig Shakespeare had detected a new-found confidence in Alex as he ran out onto the pitch once again. “Yes!” Alex roared, as soon as play was underway again. “Play me in!” Alex galloped onto the ball and ran at Bryan Oviedo. Alex swivelled, spinning his body round, he did a roulette to get a yard ahead before cutting inside on his right foot. Alex powered into the box and swung his right leg back before striking the ball with his laces into the back of the net. Leicester had lift-off.


”There’s been another goal over at The Emirates and it’s gone... Against Arsenal! That’s right, Aston Villa have EQUALISED which means the league title is now on a knife edge! One goal for either Arsenal or Leicester and the Premier League title is theirs!”

The news of Aston Villa’s goal reverberated around the ground and noise reached almost unbearable levels. The Leicester fans were trying to suck a goal into the back of Everton’s goal.

With three minutes left, Leicester had won a corner. Kasper Schmeichel made his way upfield. Leicester were gambling, big-time. Fuchs delivered the corner, the ball hanging in the air like a ripe apple waiting to be plucked. Schmeichel jumped high, providing a vital touch to flick the ball onto Huth who powered a header on goal. The ball hit the underside of the bar and bounced on the goal-line. The race was between Alex Law and Bryan Oviedo. Whoever reached the ball won the game. Alex got his foot to the ball first, but his head clattered into the post and was knocked out instantly.

A huge goal, but at what consequence has it come? The tension!

2019-02-05 17:39#254744 ScottT : A huge goal, but at what consequence has it come? The tension!

We'll find out soon

Alex picked up the letter and read it again. For the fourth time. No matter how many times he read the words, only two stood out – like flashing lights: European Championships

Dear Alex Law,
It is with great pleasure that I inform you that you have been selected to join Wales’ Provisional European Championship squad. The tournament is being held in France from 10 June – 10 July. Please report, with your passport, to the Wales Team base: Newport International Sports Village, Newport, on 29 May.

Congratulations and good luck.
Amanda Lyons
Team Administrator

Schedule:
29 May – Squad meets
31 May – Warm Up International v Sweden
1 June – Final European Championship Squad Announcement
11 June – First Group B Match v Slovakia
16 June – Second Group B Match v England
20 June – Third Group B Match v Russia

Dates of further matches will depend on Group Results

Alex shook his head and carefully placed the letter on his bed. Then he picked up almost the exact same letter from the England squad.

---

Spinning around in circles on his kitchen table, Alex’s ring reflected his mind. Turning this way and the other, going around but moving precisely nowhere. Alex squeezed his head. He felt as if the answer was close to him but yet he couldn’t quite reach it.

“I don’t see how there’s any choice to make,” said Andy, Alex’s dad, barely looking up from his newspaper. “Play for England. They’ve got most chance of winning it with the squad they’ve got, especially over Wales. And you’ll make more money. Simple. And stop spinning that thing, will you! I’m doing this crossword.”

“Well, it’s not simple to me,” said Alex, purposely ignoring his dad and continuing to spin his ring on the kitchen table. Alex loved that ring. It had been his granddad Denis’ before that; it had belonged to Denis’ dad. It had been passed down from generation to generation and, as Denis had not had a son, he left it to Alex. It was the most precious thing Alex owned.

“What do you reckon Denis would say?” Alex asked his mum, who was contentedly cradling her cup of tea. “He’d just want me to play for Wales, wouldn’t he, since we spent so much time there together?”

Alex’s mum smiled as she sipped her tea. “Just to see you playing at the European Championships would make Dad the happiest man in the world,” she said reassuringly. “He wouldn’t care who it was for.”

“But what about that?” Alex said, pointing to the framed photo on the ledge by the kitchen table. It was his mum’s favourite: a picture of Alex as a three-year-old, when his hair was still a bright strawberry-blonde colour. He was smiling and, though he was barely able to run, he was kicking a little football, being proudly supported by his granddad Denis. Alex liked the photo. He realised that Denis must have been supporting him almost from the day he was born.

“What about it?” asked his mum, turning to look at the photo. It was on holiday in Wales, where Denis Law lived the later years of his life and more importantly, where Alex picked up his love for football. “He always said you’d play at a big international level, you know. I can’t believe it’s actually coming true!”

“Yeah,” said Alex. “And look at what I’m wearing in the photo.”

It was a Wales shirt.

Plenty to be happy about here. Another solid post and a good look at the relationships that make character development so much fun. Well done!

He's picking the sheep over England? Pfffttt.

Tenthreeleader: Thanks, it's really been a pleasure so far in trying to develop Alex's personality

Scott: Some people's loyalties lay some other place

“You want my advice?” said Craig.

“I need your advice,” replied Alex.

Craig Shakespeare’s official title at Leicester was assistant manager, but he was so much more than that to Alex. Mentor, motivator. Doctor, even, seeing as though he’d been the one to nurse Alex back to fitness after his injury a few years before. Craig had always believed in Alex – no matter what.

“Write down a list,” suggested Craig. “Put down all your pros and cons—“

“Done that,” said Alex.

“OK, then,” smiled Craig. “Here’s one for you. You get a coin, tell yourself whichever side it lands on—“

“Done that too,” Alex blurted out. “Whichever side it landed on just felt like I had made the wrong decision. Didn’t help at all!”

“Right,” said Craig, subconsciously feeling his greying beard. “I see the problem. You feel a loyalty to both countries.”

“Exactly,” said Alex. “I just wish I could play for both!”

“You want to know what I really think, Alex?” said Craig. Alex nodded. “I don’t think it matters which you pick. There are going to be positives and negatives to every choice. Get used to it, that’s life. But I do know one thing for sure: you’d better get a move on soon, because time is running out for you – quickly”

---

Alex had a good ten minutes before the press conference began. A good time to catch up on missed calls and voicemails. He’d missed a call from a number he hadn’t recognised last night. He dialled in.

”You have: two new messages. First new message received yesterday at 2.26pm.”

“Alex, it’s only your mum, love. Just wondering if you were still coming over for your tea tomorrow night after your big press conference! See you later, love you!” Alex shook his head and laughed, she always appeared at the most inconvenient of times.

”Second new message received yesterday at 10.41pm

“Alex, this is Ryan Giggs here. Listen, I’m going to be managing Wales at the European Championships. Chris Coleman has had a car accident and admitted to hospital for the next month or so. He’s going to be OK but there’s no way he can take a team to the European Championships. The news is going to come out tomorrow. Anyway, I’m going to do it and you’re the first call I’m making. I want to ask you not to make a decision on England or Wales until we’ve spoken.
I want you to play for us, Alex, I’ve looked at the squad and the steel is there. Those players are solid as a rock. It just needs a bit of creativity to go with it. A bit of silk. It needs you, Alex. You’re the final piece of the jigsaw, the key to our success. I just know it.
Anyway, don’t do anything until we’ve spoken and call me back when you do get this message. It’s urgent.”

“End of new messages. To hear saved messages press—“

Alex’s fumbling fingers put his phone back into his pocket as he stood for a second in complete and utter shock. There was no doubt about it – that was definitely Ryan Giggs. Alex would recognise his voice anywhere. With twelve Premier League titles for Manchester United under his belt, Giggs was one of the most successful players in British history – a living legend. This changed everything. Giggs was Alex’s favourite player growing up and with him as manager, Alex suddenly felt the dynamics shift.

Out of the blue, there was a chance of realising his dream of playing under his biggest idols. It would be fantasy football, Alex Law style.

However, there was one problem. It was too late. Alex had already chosen England.

More likely to achieve international success with England but may find it harder to break into the team than he would have done for Wales

Gutted... when you receive such praise off of one of the greatest players to grace the Premier League, you would obviously be attracted to play under him. Never mind, he's picked the superior nation, regardless.

ITS COMING HOME

Griffin: Exactly, however, we all know what happened in 2016 with Wales

Scott and Justice: So it seems....

Alex settled into his seat on the England coach. It was by far the classiest coach he had ever been on. The soft, smooth leather interior oozed luxury as Alex slid into it. Every seat had a built-in TV screen but no channels were showing the Wales game, so he turned it off and tuned into the radio commentary on his phone instead.

”...And if you’re just joining us here at Friends Arena, the news is that, with half an hour gone, Wales are currently drawing nil-nil in this international friendly against Sweden...”

“And here now, the big Wales striker, Sam Vokes, seizes possession of the ball on the edge of the Sweden area. What’s he going to do? Is he going to hit it? Oh he is!!! What a goal!!! Vokes struck that so hard it almost broke the back of the net!”

Even though he tried his best to quash his excitement back down, it was no use; Alex just couldn’t keep himself quiet. “YOU BEAUTY!” he roared, launching himself out of his seat and punching the air.

Suddenly, as he looked around, he became aware that every single England player and member of coaching staff was staring at Alex as if he were a complete madman. Alex quickly sat back down and, trying to pretend that nothing happened, tilted his head to look innocently out of the window. As he did so, the unmistakeable shape of the Wembley Arch was now coming clearly into view ahead of him. Alex licked his lips and smiled.

---

Alex saw the substitute board go up and left his seat on the England bench. A wave of excitement rippled through the crowd. With England comfortably in the lead and the game over as a contest, this was the moment so many had been awaiting – Alex Law’s England debut. Alex walked over to the touchline. He could feel his heart fluttering with anticipation and nerves. He was about to become an international footballer.

“And a substitute for England!” said the Wembley announcer while the fourth official checked Alex’s boots. Alex looked onto the pitch and visualised his moves tonight. He wanted to give them something to cheer about and be entertained by. He was ready—

“You will need to take off the ring now,” said the fourth official in a strong German accent, pointing to Alex’s finger.

“This?” said Alex. “Can’t I just cover it up?”

“No. It is still dangerous for the other players. So please, you must take the ring off now.”

Alex didn’t like this. He had worn the ring every day since Denis had given it to him. It seemed he had no choice. If he wanted to make his international debut, he had to remove it. Slowly, reluctantly, he slid the ring from his finger. The skin underneath seemed pale and white – unnatural somehow. Alex was about to hand over the ring but before he did so, he took one last look.

“You must give it to me now,” said the fourth official, tugging the ring from Alex’s fingers.

”Coming off, number 4, James Milner, and coming on, to make his England debut, number 15, Alex Law!”

“I don’t have to do anything,” said Alex, grabbing the ring away and putting it back on his finger. Back where it belonged.

“But I will not be letting you on the pitch with it on,” said the now-panicked fourth official. “That is the rule.”

“That’s no problem,” said Alex, stepping backwards, away from the pitch, as a murmur of confusion spread around Wembley like a Mexican wave. “Because I’m not coming on anyway.” And with that, he turned around – and first in a jog, then in a sprint – headed back down the tunnel.

At last Alex had listened to his heart and it had told him exactly what to do. For the first time in weeks, Alex knew just where he was going.

I should say, with all honesty, that this is one of the better posts I've seen. I honestly love everything about it. Beautiful imagery, well constructed and a terrific addition to your storyline.

If folks are thinking about writing in an expanded style, this is a post I'd recommend for how to do it.