"I've got something for you."
I reached into my jacket and pulled out an envelope. Inside were twelve tickets to tomorrow night's match. Manchester City versus Crystal Palace. Monday Night Football. The Etihad Stadium. Hospitality box.
Big Dave's mouth fell open. Terry took off his glasses and stared at the tickets like they were holy relics. Kev actually sat down on the bench, his legs apparently having given out. Frankie, predictably, was the only one who didn't react. He just took the envelope, flicked through the tickets, counted them, and looked at me.
"Hospitality box," he said flatly. "Free food?"
"Free food," I confirmed. "Free drink. Free everything."
"About time," he said, tucking the envelope into his jacket. "You owe us. We made you."
I laughed. He wasn't wrong.
