Just a game

Glasgow 1971 ‘Is Paddy coming oot, Mrs Gilgannon?’ a tousled haired Ian Stark grinned, holding a well-worn football under his arm. Bernadette Gilgannon smiled at the lad, ‘come away in and ask him yerself, Ian.’ The 12-year-old followed her into the first floor flat and pushed open the bedroom door where he knew he’d find his friend. Paddy was still in his bed, the blankets pulled over his head. Ian looked around the room at the football posters adorning the wall...