For a long time, he said nothing. He just stood there, his eyes wide with disbelief, a joy, a sheer, unadulterated, beautiful relief. And then, for the first time since he had arrived at the club, he smiled.
It was a small, shy, almost hesitant smile, but it was a smile that lit up his entire face, a smile that was a testament to the hope, the belief, the sheer, bloody-minded, beautiful resilience of the human spirit.
"Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you, gaffer."
I smiled, a slow, satisfied, happy smile. "Welcome to the family, son," I said, my voice a quiet, proud, beautiful whisper.
"Welcome to Crystal Palace." The trial was over. The real work was about to begin.
