There's a framed shirt from Callum Hudson-Odoi on the wall towards the back. A television is usually flickering, tuned to a Portuguese channel, in the corner. The day before yesterday it was previewing the FC Porto Champion's League game away at Bayer Leverkusen that was due to start at eight. I mentioned to the owner that Callum would probably be playing as he is on loan at Leverkusen from Chelsea, mentioning that I knew him because he was in school with Ben. We had a little chat, in the course of which he mentioned that Raheem Sterling's family lived briefly in Colliers Wood (Not Tooting! he stressed) when they first arrived in England from Jamaica.
I do hope that this is true. Callum replaced Sterling when he came on around the seventieth minute for his first senior England cap. Wouldn't it be great if it was two local lads, for all that I think Sterling was largely brought up in Neasden?
Another small reflection, there was a boy sitting quietly inside on his own at a small table. He looked like he was doing his homework. Just before seven, a woman I took to be his mother came in, was warmly greeted by the staff, and picked him up. I've noticed it before. Not often or regularly but now and then. it gives me a warm feeling. Maybe she is raising him on her own and something she must deal with comes up occasionally. Surely sitting safe and warm, surrounded by familiar people is better than being left alone in a flat. Community: the condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common.
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