The Wonder Team and the Forgotten Footballers by Leah Williamson

Author:Leah Williamson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

‘Pass me that paint pot, George,’ Leah said, pointing towards the white tub at George’s feet. He handed it across to her, being careful not to slosh any of the paint over the sides. Leah dipped her paintbrush into the white liquid, then slowly traced over the old, faded penalty spot on the grass.

That morning, they’d all set out for the training field where the Crickle End Champions had gathered to begin their preparations for the match the next day. It was still cold enough that they’d all borrowed coats from Dot, but the grey clouds of the day before had given way to a cautious sun, casting the field in a lemony light. The four of them had quickly been put to work. Dot and Leah had been instructed to refresh the pitch markings, whilst George drew numbers on the back of the practice shirts and Mimi eagerly volunteered to mow the grass. She marched past them now, pushing the manual mower in front of her. Behind, neat rows of shorn pitch were beginning to appear. Rolo, as ever, trotted along next to her. Mimi had found a red dog collar and it looked very handsome against his white and caramel coat, even if he was still a bit grubby.

George gave a giant yawn. ‘I’m so sleepy,’ he grumbled.

After the circus, they’d crept back into the house through the front door and crammed themselves into Dot’s bedroom. The three girls had slept top-to-toe in the bed, whilst George had curled up on the floor in a great nest of blankets. They’d all woken up heavy eyed.

‘It was worth it though, wasn’t it?’ Mimi grinned. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever see anything as good as that circus!’

‘It was amazing,’ Leah agreed. ‘I keep thinking about that lion. It was so close!’

‘It’s just a shame about the watch,’ George pouted, patting the coat pocket where he’d stored it.

‘It’s okay,’ Leah reassured him. ‘It’ll work at midday.’ Her voice was confident, but her stomach roiled uneasily. What if the watch was broken forever?

Dot watched them all, but she didn’t say anything. After a moment, she went back to carefully painting her section of the pitch.

The door to the training room opened and the team spilled out onto the grass. They’d changed out of their casual clothes into their training kits. They all looked much happier than the day before – the prospect of the impending match had lifted their spirits. Leah felt a pang as she watched them. They reminded her of her own football team back home.

‘Everyone in my street has agreed to come,’ Sarah was saying as they walked towards the children.

‘And my brother said he’s told everyone at the factory,’ Lizzie added. She frowned. ‘Not everyone is thrilled about it, of course, but . . . word is spreading fast!’

‘Hopefully, if we get enough fans, the donations we receive for entry might be enough to buy us some new kits and equipment,’ Edie told them.

‘That would be brilliant,’ Sarah sighed.

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