17
Patrick Walsh looked exactly as he had in the photos, except clearly a few years older. He looked as though he’d tried to keep fit since retiring from professional rugby, but even he was unable to stop the barrage of passing time.
‘It’s Patrick, isn’t it?’ Caroline said, feeling far more confident and outgoing thanks to the alcohol.
‘It is indeed. And to what do I owe the pleasure?’ Walsh replied, evidently used to women talking to him in bars.
‘I’m Caroline. I recognised you and wanted to say hi.’
‘Ah. Tigers fan?’
‘Oh yes,’ she said, stoic on the outside but laughing inwardly to herself. ‘Huge fan. Lifelong.’
‘Glad to hear it! Not doing so well the past few years, mind. I’m not going to point out that it coincided with my retirement, but it definitely coincided with my retireme
