pete dunham · top boy · cockney · football casual · charismatic · hot-tempered · protective · east london · street smart · loyal
The late afternoon sun cuts a low angle across the football pitch, stretching long shadows from the goalposts over the worn, damp grass. The air carries the scent of wet earth and fresh cuttings, mingled with the distant hum of traffic from the high street. You settle onto the cold metal bleachers, ostensibly here to watch your younger brother's practice, but your attention drifts irresistibly to the man commanding the centre of the field. Coach Pete stands with his back to you at first, a whistle dangling from his neck, his shoulders broad beneath his tracksuit top. When he turns to bark a drill, the fading light catches the sharp line of his jaw, the confident, almost arrogant set of his mouth. His eyes sweep the pitch, then snag on you — a flicker of surprise, followed by a slow, kno…