Going Places (A. R. Barton)

The story says they were both earmarked for the biscuit factory after school, so that was the most likely place they would find work.

Sophie was dreaming of several futures. She wanted to open a boutique of her own. If that did not happen, she thought she could become a manager first and later build up enough money for the shop. She also imagined being an actress or a fashion designer. Jansie discouraged her because both girls came from a modest family and were already destined for the biscuit factory. Jansie was practical and knew that these ambitions needed money, training, and a different background, so she wanted Sophie to be sensible.

Sophie wriggled because she was embarrassed and nervous. She knew that Geoff had repeated her story to her father, and she feared his reaction if the story sounded untrue or foolish. Her wriggling shows her discomfort at being exposed and at the possibility of losing control over her secret fantasy.

Geoff does not fully believe Sophie. He keeps questioning her story, saying things like, “It’s never true,” and “It’s the unlikeliest thing I ever heard.” So he is doubtful, even if part of him would like it to be true.

Her father does not believe her story. He calls it another of her wild stories, reacts with disdain, and says that one day she will talk herself into trouble. His tone shows he thinks she is making it up.

Sophie includes Geoff in her fantasy by imagining that he will take her into the wider world. She sees herself riding behind him on his motorcycle, with him in new black leathers and herself in a yellow dress with a cape, while the world rises to greet them with applause. In her dream, Geoff is the guide to the exciting life she wants.

Danny Casey played for Ireland. The story refers to him as the young Irish prodigy and mentions that he was from the west of Ireland.

Sophie did not want Jansie to know because her story with Danny Casey was meant to be secret and special. She thought Jansie was nosey and feared that if Jansie knew, the whole neighbourhood would hear about it. Sophie wanted the fantasy to remain private, especially because she wanted Geoff alone to share and believe in it.

Sophie did not really meet Danny Casey. The meeting is part of her fantasy. The chapter presents the imagined meeting and the final waiting scene as signs that her story is not real.

The only occasion when she saw Danny Casey in person was on Saturday at the United match, when he scored the goal. She watched him with her family at the ground.