It's the hope, isn't it? The hope is what hurts...

And that tiny, nagging voice that says "they might, you know!" Well, they didn't, and that's it for at least two years. Not quite so devastating as the two semi-finals of the 90s (both of which, of course, lost on penalties), but sad nonetheless. At least we didn't get to the final to get thoroughly Joan-of-Arc-ed by the French. I remember as a kid losing the final of a five-a-side tournament on penalties (I was the goalkeeper, so involved in half of the kicks). I wonder if it is character-building to weep desperately over a game. I can't remember if we were comforted kindly or told to 'man up'. If Gareth Southgate had been the manager... Hopefully the young England players will take something positive from it. Honourable sporting failure is a grand and noble tradition, but beating the Australians in 2005 was magnificent. 

Thanks to those of you who have recently downloaded free copies of the ebooks, and those of you who have bought No Evil. Always a pleasure to engage a new reader, or to draw one back in. Anyone finding five minutes to spare to review on Amazon would make me even happier!

Look out for more free book promotions in the near future. I will announce them on here on the day or just before.