The Football Dynasty

"Huh" John opened his eyes, "Where am I?"

He looked around. It was the ward of a hospital. But he had no idea why he was here.

The last thing he remembered was drinking his sorrows away while watching the Champions league final between Real Madrid and Liverpool on TV. He was broke because of the losses in stock market. His girlfriend had left him. Even his favorite club, the overachieving Leicester City had finished the 2021/22 season in 8th place, just short of qualifying for European competition.

"He's awake", a voice broke him out of his depressing trance. He looked around and his eyes fell on the nurse. But before he could ask what was happening, a doctor, well he looked like a doctor, entered the room alongside a serious looking man clad in a suit.

"Lie down", said the doctor. Even though John had a multitude of questions, he listened to the doctor and lied on the hospital bed.

The doctor came close to John and checked his condition. "He's in a bit of shock but otherwise fine", the doctor said to the man in the suit.

"That's to be expected after an accident." the man replied in a gruff voice and matter of fact tone.

'Wait, what accident', John wanted to ask but before he could the doctor spoke,"Then I'll leave you with him, Mr. Murtough", and left promptly.

John finally focused on the Mr. Murtough, as the doctor called him. He was a middle aged man probably on the wrong side of forties. His hairs were almost gray and a serious looking face that was shaved clean. He was tall, almost 6" and dressed properly as if going to attend a meeting. His skin had no sign of tan, probably from staying indoors.

"Jonathan, I am Sean Murtough, your father's lawyer", he said in a curt manner.

"But my father is already dead", John replied.

"So you remember" Sean finally had a change in his expression, "Yes, your father died three days ago due to the car accident he was in alongside you. Thankfully you survived with only minor scratches..."

John interrupted before the lawyer could continue," My father's been dead for 12 years now."

Sean's calm facade broke and he had a mix of surprise and worry on his face.

"Are you okay?", He asked John with a surprisingly gentle tone," You were with your father in the car when the accident happened 5 days ago, can you remember it?"

"What are you talking about?" John asked in a slightly irritated voice. He was starting to get angry by all the bullshit the lawyer was talking.

"Well let's wait for your sister to come here, then we'll talk again" Sean said before standing up and leaving swiftly.

'But I don't have a sister either.' John wanted to yell but he kept it in seeing no point in yelling in a hospital.

Finally alone, he stood up and looked outside the window. It was morning but the sun wasn't visible. Even with all the questions inside him, he couldn't help but notice that it was definitely not a hospital in Leicester. Observing the city, he found it was London. He had been to London many times due to work and to watch Leicester games. He was an office worker, nothing exciting but he still had to travel often. According to him, it was a perk rather than burden, but many of his co workers didn't agree.

He opened the window only for a freezing breeze to enter. He hurriedly closed the window.

"Even though London is cold all year, it shouldn't be this cold at this time of the year." He said to himself. Afterall it was only May and it was a long time before winter.

With nothing to do, he went back to his bed. He looked for something to read on the table beside his bed when his gaze fell on the calendar. On the calendar, the date was 6th November,2006.

Before he could make sense of it, he felt a splitting headache and fell unconscious.