Winning Touch

by Ellyse Perry

  When Jazz arrived, Charlie said, ‘Hey, let’s all go shopping on Friday, and you pick the movie, Jazz.’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Jazz said slowly. ‘Mum’s being a bit strange at the moment.’ Her mouth trembled and she blinked hard. ‘The counselling last night was horrible. All Mum did was say nasty stuff about Dad. Liana and I never got to say anything.’

  ‘You can say it to us,’ Ellyse said. ‘We’ll listen and give you lots of hugs.’

  Jazz managed a shaky smile. ‘Thanks. All I want is for Mum to notice that we’re really upset too. She was yelling and stomping around last night. It was scary. I know she’s mad at Dad, but …’

  ‘I think we should definitely go out on Friday,’ Charlie said. ‘If we can’t make you feel better, nobody can.’

  ‘We’ve got a soccer game after school today,’ Ellyse said. ‘You can kick the ball around really, really hard and that’ll cheer you up.’ She hesitated. ‘That’s if you’re playing.’

  ‘Yep, I am,’ Jazz said. ‘Anything’s better than going home. I might kick that soccer ball all the way to the Harbour Bridge!’

  But when school was over for the day and they gathered for the game, Jazz realised she’d forgotten her soccer boots. She burst into tears, crying so hard that she couldn’t tell Ms Beattie what the problem was. Charlie had to explain.

  ‘Oh, is that all?’ Ms Beattie said in surprise. ‘I’ve got spare boots, I’m sure. Come with me, Jasmine, and we’ll find some to fit you. Can’t have our best goal-keeper not able to play.’

  As they went off to the gym, Ms Beattie gave Jazz a bunch of tissues for her tears. They were soon back, and Jazz looked much happier in her borrowed boots with their bright purple laces.

  The field was drier today, and the game against Sandhurst Girls was fast and furious. Ms Beattie put Ellyse in as striker because they were one short. The ball went back and forth as everyone dribbled and kicked and laughed. Jazz saved two certain goals with massive leaps. Charlie and Ellyse both scored, but Hu was the star – she booted in three! Her dad clapped madly on the sideline, and after the third goal he even did a little dance.

  ‘You were on fire today,’ Ellyse told Hu after the game.

  Hu grinned. ‘Thanks! My brothers are getting a real workout. We play in the park now, and they’re getting mad with me for beating them, but it makes them play better.’

  ‘And then you play better too,’ Ellyse said. ‘I wish you could play with me in the Hawks team. Or maybe you’d like touch footy?’

  Hu frowned. ‘I thought footy was a boys’ game.’

  Ellyse put her hands on her hips. ‘Nothing is a boys-only game anymore. Not even boxing. Although I don’t think I want to box anytime soon.’

  ‘Me neither.’

  Ellyse was about to ask if Hu wanted to join them at the movies on Friday but then caught sight of Jazz. No, she thought, we’re doing this specially for Jazz. I’ll ask Hu another time.

  On the way to the car, Ellyse spotted Jazz’s mum waiting in her four-wheel drive with the engine running. Her face looked pinched and tight. Jazz had barely closed the door when she took off. Ellyse stared after the four-wheel drive, wondering if she should call Jazz later.

  ‘She was in a hurry,’ Dad said.

  ‘And she looked even unhappier than Jazz.’ Ellyse paused for a moment. ‘Dad, you and Mum …’

  Dad bent and kissed the top of her head. ‘We’re fine, little one, truly.’ He laughed. ‘Although maybe I shouldn’t call you “little one” anymore. I’m sure you’ve grown more since yesterday.’

  ‘Da-a-ad! Don’t be silly.’ But I hope I have, Ellyse thought.

  On Thursday, Ellyse and Charlie went to touch footy training again.

  ‘Callinan is doing a big musical this year – Cats,’ Charlie said as she tied her shoelaces. ‘I’d love to be in it.’

  ‘That’d be awesome fun,’ said Ellyse.

  ‘The only problem is, rehearsals are on Thursday afternoons.’ Charlie grimaced. ‘So no footy for me if I get a role.’

  ‘Oh.’ Ellyse tried to swallow her disappointment. It’s more fun playing with Charlie, but she does love acting. ‘I bet you’ll be one of the stars.’

  ‘As if,’ Charlie said. ‘I might get to be in the chorus if I’m lucky. But there’ll be songs to learn and lots of dancing. I can’t wait!’

  For training, Ben had them run laps and then do sprints. ‘It’ll pay off,’ he said. ‘The fitter you are, the faster you can move the ball around.’

  Then he had them working up and down the field in teams of six, doing roll balls and passing left and right.

  ‘Phew!’ Charlie said, bending over. ‘I’ve got a stitch.’

  Everyone else was puffing too, but they all put up their hands when Ben asked who was ready for a game. Ellyse and Charlie ended up playing against each other, red armbands against blue, both as middles.

  Charlie grinned at her. ‘Bet you can’t get past me.’

  ‘Betcha I can!’ Ellyse called back.

  Reds got to start. Ellyse took the tap and passed straight away to her other middle, Rocky, who ran with it and passed it back again. Ellyse loved to jink and sidestep, pretending she was going one way before zipping back the other. Charlie touched, Ellyse rolled the ball back and Reds were away again. Four more touches and Ben signalled last touch. Reds lost possession on the sixth touch, so Blues had the ball to restart.

  Charlie’s teammate took the tap and off they went, passing, switching and passing again. This time Reds were offside on the fourth roll ball and got a penalty tap. Charlie held the pass, scooted around behind her link player, saw a gap and was through for a touchdown.

  Ben blew the whistle. ‘Okay, over here, everyone,’ he called, and waited for them to gather around. ‘Good start, but what could you Reds have done better?’

  ‘We left a big gap,’ said Ellyse.

  ‘Right,’ said Ben. ‘And you were a bit slow off the mark when Charlie made her run. Why was that?’

  Rocky put up his hand. ‘We’re looking at our feet too much?’

  ‘Exactly,’ Ben said, smiling. ‘It’s hard to watch your opponents all the time, but there are only six of them, so you just need to practise scanning the field and seeing where they’re running. You only need one touch to stop their momentum. But?’

  ‘But when it’s you with the ball,’ Ellyse said, ‘you try to keep the flow moving no matter what.’

  ‘Excellent,’ Ben said. ‘Let’s try again and then swap players around.’

  This was what Ellyse loved about touch footy – everyone went on and off the field, everyone got a chance to play, and you even got to try different positions. She didn’t mind where she was – middle, link or wing – the game usually moved so fast up and down the field that she passed and ran and rolled and touched almost nonstop. She managed to score two touchdowns and passed to Rocky and the others so they got touchdowns too. No more gaps!

  After training, Ben gave them the draw for the season. ‘First game is a mini tournament, Sunday week, right here. It’ll be a good way to start.’ As everyone grabbed their water bottles and jackets, Ellyse waved goodbye to Charlie and went to help Dad gather up the footballs and cones.

  ‘You looked like you were having a good time,’ Dad said.

  ‘It was so much fun!’ Ellyse replied, grinning. She stacked the cones and carried them to Ben’s car.

  ‘Thanks,’ Ben said. ‘Your dad’s been telling me you can pass off either foot. It’s a handy skill to have. Most people only use their dominant side, usually the right.’

  ‘I guess,’ Ellyse said. ‘I’ve never thought about it.’

  Ben rolled the footy over in his hands. ‘Want to show me?’

  Ellyse glanced at Dad.

  ‘It’s fine,’ he said, ‘I’ll play with you.’

  She felt a bit funny, like she was showing off, but Ben was serious. He asked her to play in the middle, and they ran up and down the field three times, passing the ball back and
forth.

  ‘How keen are you on footy?’ Ben said afterwards.

  Again, Ellyse glanced at Dad but his face gave nothing away. ‘I’m not sure. I love playing it, but I play soccer and cricket too, and indoor cricket, and I like netball but I’m not in a team for that.’

  Ben nodded. ‘There’ll be selectors at the mini tournament and they’ll be looking to choose a regional team. I reckon you’ve got a good chance.’

  Ellyse gasped. ‘Really?’

  ‘Aren’t the regional comps in March?’ Dad asked.

  ‘This is a winter cup, for Under 14s.’ Ben turned to Ellyse. ‘Your school doesn’t have a touch team, does it?’

  She shook her head. ‘I wish.’

  ‘One thing,’ Ben added. ‘You’re small.’

  Ellyse heaved a big sigh. ‘I knoooooow. I’m growing, though.’

  ‘It’s not an issue in this sport,’ Ben said, ‘but it’s worth considering weights training. You know, light stuff for muscle strength.’

  ‘It’s a good suggestion, thanks,’ Dad said. ‘Now, we have to run if we’re to get Ellyse to soccer training on time.’

  ‘Goodness,’ Ben said, looking impressed. ‘No wonder you’re fit.’

  Ellyse smiled. ‘See ya next week,’ she said to Ben, before heading off with Dad.

  ‘Do you really think I could get selected?’ Ellyse asked as they drove to the Hawks’ ground.

  Dad stopped at the traffic lights and looked at her frowning face. ‘I think you’d have a very good chance of making the regional team.’ He grinned. ‘Even as a shrimp.’

  ‘Dad!’ Ellyse pretended to be cross for a second and then broke into a smile. The whole way to soccer training she couldn’t help thinking how awesome it would be to make the regional team. If only Ms Beattie could coach it too. Now THAT would be magical!

  Ellyse asked for an advance on her pocket money to go on the special shopping outing with Jazz. ‘I probably won’t spend it,’ she told Mum, ‘but maybe I’ll buy something to cheer Jazz up.’

  ‘All right,’ Mum said, handing her twenty dollars. ‘But your room has been getting pretty untidy lately. I think Saturday is clean-up day, okay?’

  ‘Okay,’ Ellyse groaned. She had soccer, a science project to do and she was falling behind in her maths and English homework again. Maybe I can shove it all under my bed and sort it out later, she thought.

  ‘And no putting everything under your bed,’ Mum said.

  ‘I won’t.’ How come mums know everything?

  Ellyse ran to put on her favourite jeans and long-sleeved top. When she arrived at the shopping centre, Jazz and Charlie were waiting for her by the fountain.

  ‘Carla and Sheridan can’t come,’ Charlie said. ‘So do we eat first or shop first?’

  ‘Eat,’ Ellyse said. The smell of hot chips from the food court was making her mouth water.

  ‘Shop,’ Jazz said, and held up a fifty-dollar note. ‘Look at this.’

  ‘Wow!’ Charlie gasped. ‘Have you been saving your pocket money?’

  ‘No.’ Jazz’s face twisted. ‘This is Dad’s idea of “making it up to me”, and he took me and Liana out to eat Japanese too.’

  ‘Come on, then,’ said Charlie. ‘Let’s shop till we drop.’

  They started in the jeans shop, then the shoe shop, then went into the big department store and wandered around, looking at the latest spring fashions.

  ‘It’s still winter,’ Ellyse said.

  Jazz shrugged. ‘At least there are some really cool T-shirts to try on.’ She grabbed three from the rack. ‘I’ll go and see what these look like.’ She disappeared into the changing room.

  Charlie picked through the racks and found some jeans. ‘They’re a hundred and fifty dollars, but I can still try them on, right?’

  ‘Right!’ Ellyse flicked along the T-shirts. ‘These are all too big for me. I’ll try the next racks.’

  ‘Come to the changing room in a few minutes and check out how these look,’ Charlie said, and off she went.

  Ellyse kept riffling through the tops, and finally found one she liked. But when she held it up against herself in front of a mirror, she got a shock. This size is way too small! I really have grown! Pleased, she put the top back and glanced across at the changing rooms. I’ll give Charlie another couple of minutes.

  Jazz came out and put her T-shirts on the returns rack and wandered across to a large display unit of jewellery, hats and scarves on sale. Before Ellyse could call out to her, Jazz took a necklace off the unit and shoved it into her pocket. She quickly walked away and pretended to be looking at party dresses further along.

  Ellyse stood frozen to the spot, her mouth open. Did Jazz just steal that necklace?

  Jazz left the party dresses and headed back to where Ellyse was standing.

  Do I say anything? What do I say?

  ‘Hey, Ellyse!’ Charlie yelled from the changing-room entrance. ‘Come and tell me what you think.’

  Ellyse stumbled across the carpet, knocking a mannequin and dislodging its hat. She hurriedly picked it up and plopped it back on the plastic head, and met Charlie by the mirror.

  ‘What do you think?’ Charlie asked. ‘Aren’t they amazing?’

  Ellyse stared at Charlie’s reflection, hardly seeing it. ‘Yeah, they look great.’

  ‘Gee, thanks for being so enthusiastic,’ Charlie said.

  Ellyse forced herself to focus on Charlie’s jeans. ‘They do look amazing, but I bet your mum will say no.’

  Charlie sighed. ‘I know. If only they were fifty dollars …’

  I should tell Charlie, but what if I was mistaken? Ellyse thought, her mind racing. What if Jazz put that necklace down and I didn’t see her do it? If I accuse her, she might never forgive me.

  ‘Incredible jeans, Charlie,’ Jazz said, appearing behind them. ‘Look at the shirt I just bought.’ She pulled a gauzy pink-and-green top out of the store bag she was carrying.

  ‘It’s see-through,’ Ellyse said. ‘You’ll have to wear something under it.’

  ‘No, I won’t,’ Jazz said. ‘My bra is okay.’ She tossed her head. ‘Mum might actually take notice of me then.’ She shoved the top back in the bag. ‘Come on, let’s go eat and work out how we can make Charlie’s mum buy her those jeans.’

  After Charlie had returned her jeans to the rack, she and Ellyse followed Jazz to the food court. As they ate their pizza, Jazz chattered nonstop but it wasn’t her usual chatter. It felt a bit hyper somehow. A few times, Charlie and Ellyse glanced at each other but neither of them said anything.

  We’re here to cheer Jazzy up, Ellyse thought. To be her friends, not pick on her.

  ‘Jazz, are you okay?’ Charlie asked. ‘You seem kinda –’

  ‘I’m fine,’ Jazz snapped. Then she took a breath. ‘Hey, you guys are the best friends ever. What movie shall we go and see?’

  Her voice was Jazz-normal again and Ellyse felt relief trickle through her. I must have been seeing things. Jazz wouldn’t shoplift. Why would she? She had fifty dollars.

  As they walked to the movie theatres, Ellyse pushed away her doubts and made herself laugh at Charlie’s joke. A few minutes later, she’d almost forgotten about the whole thing.

  The next day, the Hawks soccer team had a home game against a new team they’d never played before called the Green Arrows. Vinnie, the Hawks coach, was keeping Ellyse in her defender position, which she was happy about. As she finished putting on her boots and stood up, her friend Jamie stopped in his tracks.

  ‘Hey, not such a dress!’ he said, giving her the thumbs up.

  Ellyse frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘First game this season, Vinnie gave you that shirt and it was nearly down to your knees. Now look at it.’ Jamie grinned. ‘Have you started eating your veggies or something?’

  ‘I always eat my veggies. No choice in my house.’ Ellyse peered down at her shirt. Jamie was right – her shirt did fit her better. ‘Gee, I’ll be taller than you by Christmas. Better
watch out.’

  ‘As if!’ Jamie scoffed, and started jogging on the spot. ‘We should warm up fast – the game starts in five minutes.’

  But Ellyse made sure she did her stretches properly. The last thing she needed was an injury. She remembered how much she’d hated missing games after Josh, a bully on an opposing team, had knocked her over at the beginning of the season. She ran over to where Vinnie was giving a last-minute talk.

  ‘Right, this team is an unknown to us, guys,’ he said. ‘So play defensively until you get a sense of their level and their best and weakest players. But if you see the chance to attack, go for it.’

  Ellyse nodded and squeezed in another few stretches before the Hawks ran onto the field. They won the toss and kicked off, their attackers moving down the field, Jamie tackling and getting the ball almost straight away. The Green Arrows striker opposing Jamie wasn’t giving up, though, and soon had possession again. The game seesawed for most of the first half, but the Hawks gradually gained the upper hand. They scored two goals in quick succession, which even made Vinnie smile.

  The Arrows on Ellyse’s side of the field were keen and shouted encouragement to each other a lot, but their ball skills were shaky. She tackled and nearly always won the ball, sending it to her strikers, but she felt sorry for one boy. It got to the point that every time he came near her, he became anxious. A man who was clearly his father kept shouting at him from the sideline.

  He’s not helping one little bit, Ellyse thought.

  When she’d whisked the ball away from the boy yet again, the man yelled, ‘Stop being so useless, Marko. Barge past her!’

  Marko’s face went bright red and he blinked fast as though he was trying not to cry.

  Ellyse glared at the man. I’d like to tell him to shut up, but that’ll get me into trouble. ‘Can’t they make that man be quiet?’ she asked Dad at half-time.

  ‘He might calm down in the second half. If not, I’ll see what we can do.’

  But when the Arrows ran back onto the field after the half-time break, Marko had been replaced by another player. She saw him sitting miserably in one of the substitutes’ chairs with his dad standing beside him, looking angry.