Nanna’s wise words made me think. Maybe she was right – and maybe if I had her and Grandpa behind me, I’d be able to change my parents’ mind?
We finally arrived at the ground. The stand overlooking the pitch was already full of family and friends getting ready for the final. Dunbar’s streamers flooded one side of the stand, while the opposition colours of green and white competed for attention on the other side.
Nanna and Grandpa were lucky enough to find two seats in the front row, with Gigi snuggling in on Nanna’s lap, looking around and sniffing excitedly. Before I left, Grandpa wanted to share a few words of advice. ‘Good luck sweetheart. Go out there and just enjoy yourself.’
Nanna was still impressed with my team’s kit. ‘Lucy, make that pink lion roar. The costume you’re wearing really suits you – such great colours.’
I threw Grandpa a look at Nanna’s theatrical description. We shared a little giggle. ‘Oh, thanks Nanna and Grandpa. I’m so glad you’re here. I’ll catch up with you after the game. And be good, Gigi,’ I said, beaming with happiness.
While they settled in, I grabbed my bag and headed off to join my team mates in the change room. This time I didn’t have to walk out in my tutu – although it was still scrunched into the bottom of my kit bag. It was liberating not having to be so secretive. I was proud to roam around in my Dunbar football gear, especially since I’d been given Zidane’s famous number five to wear.
I opened the change room door to a full house. Last again – but this time at least I was dressed and ready to go. There was nothing they could say to stir me.
Standing at the front of the room, Coach James was cool and calm as usual, but he couldn’t help himself. ‘Welcome Lucy, where’s your tutu?’ We all laughed.
‘Funny you ask, Coach. It’s in my bag. I’ll get it out so you can try it on. Maybe you could wear it on the sidelines and use it as a secret weapon.’ My team mates fell around in stitches.
Coach James unexpectedly grabbed the tutu from me, and put it on over his trackpants for his team talk. Now we were really in hysterics. ‘Okay, settle down. This should break the nerves, but it’s time to get down to business.
‘This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. We need to all be on our game if we’re going to win this match and lift the Champions trophy. Most importantly, I want to see you play good attacking football. Fight for every ball, play as a team and, above all, enjoy yourselves.
‘We’re up against a fierce opponent, the Hawks. They’re a very aggressive team who rattle their opponents with physical strength and good tackles.’
‘I can’t wait to get stuck into them,’ said Jasper.
Coach James nodded. ‘Yes, that’s what I want, passion and enthusiasm. Now, they have one star player, Amek, who’s a big talent, explosive up front and very tall for his age. I think he’ll force us to lift our game and that’s a good thing. If our defenders can keep him quiet, we’ll have a good chance of beating them.’
‘Don’t worry, Coach James, he won’t get past me,’ promised Dugald.
‘That’s what I want to hear. Now, it’s been tough choosing the starting eleven, but remember that you’ll all get a run.’
This was when my nerves took over.
‘Felix in goal, right back Taj, centre back Dugald, sweeper Jonathon – this is a big one for you – left back Jasper, right midfield and captain Brandan, Jared on the left, Morgan and Dylan in centre mid, and Gadi and Harry up front.’
I’d known I wasn’t starting but I was still gutted – but so were the other four players stuck on the bench. A part of me had kept a glimmer of hope that I’d be one of the eleven. What made it worse was that they all stared at me, shocked that I wasn’t running out with them.
Now my butterflies were raging. I just wanted to get onto that pitch and get a crack at the goal. I broke into a cold sweat and suddenly I had the strangest sensation that the walls were closing in around me. I tried to shake it off, but for some reason I couldn’t cope with being in this confined space. I felt as if those arms were grabbing me from behind again; I could almost feel the gun in my back. I had to get out. I ran to the door as I started to hyperventilate.
I could barely hear Coach James’s voice because my ears were ringing. ‘Lucy, what’s wrong?’
I closed the door behind me and sat on the ground, crying. I didn’t want them to see me like this.
Coach James leapt over to console me. I was shivering – my body was out of my control. I gasped for breath. He faced me and gently took my hand.
‘Lucy, it’s okay. Do you need a puffer? It will help you breathe a little easier.’ He rummaged through the first-aid kit, then handed me the puffer.
I inhaled from it deeply. I hadn’t used one since I was a little kid, but it seemed to help.
‘That’s better. Lucy don’t worry, I’m going to put you on. You’re my secret weapon – not the tutu,’ he confided, and we shared a giggle.
‘It’s not about the game. It’s the change room – I just felt trapped … I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I couldn’t breathe, I just needed some fresh air. I feel much better now.’
‘Good, but I think that right now you need to rest. Why don’t you stay here and I’ll bring the boys out for the rest of the team talk,’ he said.
I settled down in the open air, taking deep breaths and trying to work out what had just happened. Harry and Dylan came out and sat on either side of me, trying to comfort me. This wasn’t the invincible Lucy Zeezou they knew. I could tell they were shocked to see me in such a vulnerable state.
I had to shake this off and get onto the pitch so I could forget about everything. It had to be related to the kidnapping. Nothing like this had ever happened to me before.
I wasn’t the same person any more. Now and then I’d start to feel inexplicably anxious, but it wasn’t going to get the better of me. I wasn’t a victim, I was a survivor – and I was going to get out there and play my heart out.
‘Let’s give it everything we’ve got,’ Coach James wrapped up. ‘Today is your day, I believe in you, and I know that you can do it. Let’s go Dunbar Lions!’
Brandan stepped in. ‘Okay guys, let’s do our best and fight for every ball. We can win this … the championship is ours. Come on Dunbar.’
The atmosphere on the pitch was awesome – our supporters were waving the team’s streamers and yelling, ‘Let’s go Dunbar, let’s go!’
But for the first time in my football life I was flat. This was the most important game in my life and I couldn’t get excited. I felt detached, even though the boys were on fire – pumped up and ready to take on the world.
Someone started to laugh, and we all turned and looked – Coach James had forgotten to take off the tutu.
‘Whoops, it’s time this number took a break until we have something to celebrate!’ He smiled, quickly throwing off the tutu and putting it in his kit bag.
Tainan, Callum, Hugo, Kurtis and I wished our team mates the best and took our places on the bench. Coach James stayed on his feet, encouraging the boys from the sideline.
I waved to Grandpa and Nanna sitting among the throng of proud parents and friends in the stand. Not my parents. If they saw me here they’d drag me off in shame.
The whistle blew and the Lions kicked off, running into the wind. Brandan spotted Harry wide open on the right; he unleashed the ball straight to his feet. Harry accelerated along the line, dribbling up the pitch as free as a bird.
Coach James was very animated, bellowing his instructions from within the designated area. ‘Go Harry! Who’s helping him?’
Harry crossed the ball into the box to a sea of eager heads, poised to pounce.
‘Yours to win, Gadi,’ yelled Coach James.
Gadi was the smallest among them but somehow he managed to claim ownership of the ball. He collected it onto his chest, kept it in the air and volleyed it past the defenders and, most importantly, the dumbstruck keeper.
There was a moment’s silence as everyone stood in disbelief at the speed and brilliance of the opening goal. Within the first minute we were leading 1–0. The Lions exploded into celebration, jumping up and down, congratulating Gadi on his incredible effort. The boys all piled on top of him to celebrate as our supporters erupted into full song.
Coach James remained calm and cautious. ‘Well done Lions, good effort Harry and Gadi, but let’s keep up the momentum. Stay focused.’
I was happy for the team, but there went my chance of getting on early – Gadi was lethal up front, very impressive. I’d have do something exceptional to match that performance.
The game gradually settled down, and the rest of the first half became a very tight and tough battle. The Hawks were digging in, determined to level. Eventually, their danger man, Amek, broke free and fired down the middle of the pitch like a steam train.
Coach James yelled, ‘Get there Jonathon, come on Dugald, come on, get there.’
And as Amek was about to shoot, Jonathon appeared, throwing himself into the firing line to clear the ball with precision and leave his unsuspecting prey in disbelief.
‘Brilliant, Jonathon. That’s it. Now turn and face,’ demanded Coach James.
But Amek had fallen from the impact, and was clutching his leg while his coach and team mates pleaded with the referee. Jonathon ran back and put his hand out to help Amek up, but he was grimacing and refused his assistance.
‘Come on, ref. That’s a penalty. He collected him in the box,’ yelled the Hawks’ coach.
Play was halted as Amek received treatment.
Then I heard Bella yelling from the stands. ‘Lucy, I’ve got to talk to you.’ She looked like she was chewing her lip anxiously.
I was astonished that she had come along to watch the game, but so happy to see her. I thought she’d be mad because I hadn’t contacted her since Max’s disappearance, but at least she didn’t look angry with me. We had a lot to discuss, but it was impossible right now.
I was about to yell out to her from the bench when Hugo and I each received a tap on the shoulder.
‘Okay, I want you to start warming up. You’re going on soon,’ said Coach James. ‘Lucy, how are you feeling?’
‘Oh, I’m ready!’ I sprang to my feet with renewed enthusiasm. I gave Bella a shrug and started warming up along the sideline. I couldn’t help but wonder what she wanted to talk to me about – it must be about Max. I had to store the distraction away until after the game.
The boys were doing it tough and looking tired as they struggled to hold on to their lead. Hugo warmed up beside me. He was a speed demon – I think Coach James wanted some fresh legs to lift the pace and regain our momentum.
But before he could make the switch, the persistent Hawks finally broke our defence and came up with a cracking goal to level the game. Of course it was Amek who made the break, sprinting solo like an Olympic athlete and leaving the defenders in his wake. He faced the keeper one on one, and then cleverly faked a turn, easily slotting in the equaliser to make it 1–1.
While the Hawks celebrated their goal – and I had to admit it was classy – the Lions prepared to fight back. Game on!
Coach James called out, ‘Ref, substitution. Brandan and Jasper, come off.’
They made their way to our bench to rapturous applause.
‘Hugo, you’re taking Jasper’s position at left back. All I want you to do is stay on Amek. Don’t let his size intimidate you. I know you can do the job,’ said Coach James, giving him a pat on the back.
‘I’ll do my best,’ said Hugo.
Coach James then turned to me. ‘Now, Lucy, you’re in the midfield alongside Morgan and Dylan on the right, and you’ll wear the captains’ armband.’
I wasn’t expecting that at all! But I was extremely pleased to be given the honour. It gave me an added incentive to come up with something extra special.
‘Play instinctively and make sure you talk to your players. You need to lift them, Zeezou.’
We gave Brandan and Jasper a high five as they left the field. Finally I had my chance!
I ran onto the pitch and lost myself in the sea of Dunbar chants, soaking up the atmosphere. I could feel my energy and enthusiasm coming back. Instinctively, I sprang into a pirouette. One minute I was flying, spinning … the next I was landing awkwardly in a heap on the ground. I don’t know what came over me. I heard a collective OOOHHH! and an eruption of laughter.
Some of the boys sniggered at my fall, while others froze in shock. Oh, nooo! What were my grandparents thinking? Why did I keep doing these crazy things? Great entrance, Lucy.
‘Lucy, are you okay?’ asked Coach James. I gave him the thumbs up without making eye contact.
I was so embarrassed that I wanted to turn into a crab and crawl under a rock. But instead I stood tall and walked over to take my position ready for the restart. I yelled out as though nothing had happened, ‘Come on boys, let’s get stuck in. We’ve got another goal in us before half-time. We can do it.’
While my team mates gathered around me in support, our rivals started jeering.
‘Ha, did you forget your tutu, Lucy?’
‘Where’s your famous dad?’
‘Didn’t he show you to how to stay on your feet?’
‘You don’t belong here.’
Harry retorted, ‘Shut up. Lucy Zeezou belongs here … in fact she’s better than all of you.’
I was grateful that Harry had stepped in to defend me, but I didn’t want to bite back. And anyway, I’d expected hostility. I just had to stay focused.
The referee blew his whistle. There were just ten minutes left until half-time. We surged forward, driving our way up the pitch, but the Hawks were also getting stuck in, winning the ball back and making a run down the right side. Before they could cross the ball into the box, Dugald slid in and won the ball.
We were unrelenting, creating a way through thanks to Dylan’s determination and fancy footwork. He executed a beautiful through ball, which I attacked with vigour, but my run was thwarted. I was winded and cross with myself for losing the ball.
Gadi reclaimed the ball on the run, smartly back-heeling to Harry. He cracked it towards the target and our supporters cheered, thinking it was going in, but the keeper got a hand to it.
The ball teasingly hung in the air until it was ferociously put away by Dylan with a superb header into the top right-hand corner.
2–1 to the Dunbar Lions – our supporters roared!
We all ran over to Dylan, embracing him and jumping around, celebrating the hard-earned goal. I took a moment away from the revelry to get a glance at Grandpa and Nanna. I could just spot their proud faces emerging among the throng of pale pink and blue streamers. Bella was sitting next to them but she wasn’t cheering. She looked as if she was still in a dour mood. Something was seriously wrong.
The half-time whistle blew and we ran to the change room to grab some drinks and listen to Coach James’s instructions. As we ran back out for the second half, our supporters were in full voice. ‘Let’s go Dunbar, let’s go! Let’s go Dunbar, let’s go!’
The atmosphere on the pitch was just as electrifying in the second half. The Hawks were fighting harder, playing dirty, getting the elbow in at every chance, tugging at shirts and tripping us over. Gadi was their main target, but they slipped up when he was about to receive a cross. A defender came in with a high karate-style kick, missing the ball but striking Gadi on the legs and cleaning him up.
The referee blew his whistle on the spot and signalled a penalty to Dunbar with just five minutes remaining. He gave the defender his marching orders.
Gadi was in trouble, grabbing his right leg and moaning in pain. We gathered around to try and calm him down, but he was suffering. Coach James ran out to inspect his striker.
‘Gadi, this doesn’t look good. I’m going to have to take you off. Lucy, you take the penalty and play up front for the rest of the game and I’ll bring on Kurtis to cover your position in
midfield. They’re down to ten players, so take advantage of the extra space,’ said Coach James.
I really felt for Gadi – he’d been playing like a champion. The moment, though, was mine and I needed to stay calm and focus.
I took my lucky five steps back with my eyes on the ball, focusing on my target. You could have heard a pin drop. I sized up the kick again and just as I was about to move forward, I heard a familiar voice.
‘Come on, Zeezou! You can do it!’
At once I felt warm inside yet horrified. What was he doing here? I would have looked around to see if I could spot him, but I was afraid that it would draw unwanted attention to him.
I tried to regain my composure as the referee blew his whistle. I was shaking and distracted. But I had to refocus and strike.
I ran forward and struck the ball as hard as I could, keeping aim at the top right-hand corner. The keeper guessed the right way and parried the ball, but I collected it on the rebound, volleying it into the back of the net to make it 3–1.
I didn’t have time to take in the moment – my team mates went crazy, lifting me onto their shoulders, while our supporters’ chants echoed throughout the grounds.
Coach James finally unleashed his excitement. ‘Brilliant, Dunbar! Brilliant, Zeezou! Great effort.’
But I had mixed emotions, excited that we were minutes away from wrapping up the championship, and yet extremely concerned about Max. And then Dylan and Harry confirmed my fear.
‘Lucy, Max is here but we can’t see him. We heard him call out to you from somewhere behind those bushes.’ Dylan pointed off to one side of the perimeter fence. ‘He’s history when I get my hands on him.’
‘We’ll sort him out after the game. Let’s wrap it up first and then we’ll show him how happy we are to see him,’ Harry added sarcastically.
‘Guys, calm down. We’ll deal with Max later,’ I replied coolly, although inside I was panicking.
I looked over to the stands to see my grandparents with Bella by their side and – oh no, it couldn’t be … how could they come? How did they know I was here?
Lucy Zeezou's Goal Page 17