Our Beautiful Game by Lou Kuenzler

Author:Lou Kuenzler [Lou Kuenzler]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780571365012
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Published: 2021-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

Polly’s shift finished at seven o’clock and as soon as she stepped outside she knew that something was wrong.

Normally, the girls all hurried off at the end of the day, keen to get home. This evening, a crowd had gathered in front of the Danger Shed, their voices raised and agitated.

‘What is it?’ said Polly, pushing her way through to where she could see some of the Ruffians huddled together, their heads bent.

‘It’s Olive,’ said Mary-Anne, stepping back to let Polly into the circle. ‘She’s been sent to prison.’

‘Prison?’ gasped Polly. That was the last thing she had expected to hear.

‘She had a matchstick in her pocket and the inspector found it,’ said Mary-Anne. ‘We’re not allowed anything which might cause a spark in the Danger Shed.’

‘It’s partly my fault,’ Daph explained, looking stricken. ‘The gaslights had gone out at our hostel last night. They’re always on the blink. I gave Olive two matches to light a candle. She must have used one, then put the spare match in her pocket and forgotten all about it.’

‘Poor Olive,’ interjected Jessie. ‘She’d—’

‘Forget her head if it wasn’t screwed on!’ chanted the little group, but no one was laughing this time.

‘They marched Olive straight off to court this afternoon,’ said a girl Polly didn’t know. It was clear she worked in the Danger Shed too, as the front of her hair had turned bright green from the chemicals. ‘The judge sentenced her to twenty-eight days in prison just for having an unlit match in her pocket.’

‘That’s not fair,’ cried Polly, thinking how Don Sharples always stood smoking right outside the Danger Shed and was not punished at all.

‘Surely a warning would have been enough,’ agreed Mary-Anne.

‘Or they could have docked Olive’s wages,’ added Daph. ‘Lady G offered to pay a fine and they refused. She thinks the War Office are making an example of the case so the rest of us will be more careful. Now Olive’s lost her job and her lodgings and been thrown into jail … all for a stupid matchstick.’

‘Wait!’ Polly’s mind was spinning. A terrible thought had struck her. ‘This means Olive won’t be able to play tomorrow!’ she cried. ‘We won’t have a goalie!’

‘Polly!’ Even Daph sounded shocked.

‘Olive’s been thrown into prison,’ cried Jessie. ‘She’s going to be there for nearly a whole month and all you can think about is football!’

‘There are more important things than kicking a blooming ball about!’ snapped Mary-Anne.

‘I know … of course!’ said Polly, her cheeks flaming. ‘But …’

‘No!’ Mary-Anne held up her hand. ‘Don’t you dare mention the game again! Your precious team might not have a goalie, but Olive’s whole life has been ruined.’

‘You only want to play so you can show off and score lots of goals,’ added Betsy, with her hands on her hips. ‘You don’t really care about the Ruffians at all.’

‘You’re ruthless, Polly Nabb. That’s what you are!’ said Mary-Anne, turning on her heel.

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