Lucy Zeezou's Goal (19 page)

We looked at each other with determined faces. Everyone wanted to start in the final – it was what they'd worked for all season.

I zoned out of Coach James's team talk, preoccupied with Max's situation and my friendships. When they found out that I'd lied about Max's whereabouts, they'd never forgive me.

The training session had gone even better than I'd hoped. It felt so good to be back with the team. Harry and Dylan had still been a little guarded around me, but they'd started to ease up as practice went on. Now I just had to hope I'd get a chance on the pitch today. Luckily, my parents decided that I could continue to stay with my grandparents until our new house was ready for us to move in. They were staying in their luxury hotel up the road, so I pretty much had free rein.

Nanna and Grandpa organised to spend the day with me so that they could secretly watch me play in the final. They even had a little surprise in store.

Gigi came running into the bedroom, jumping up and down on the bed, licking my face. I couldn't help but laugh; she was wearing a knitted blue, pink and white striped dog vest with the Dunbar pink lion embroidered on the top. She looked so cute – she even had pink and blue bows perfectly placed above her ears. My little Dunbar Lions mascot.

‘Nanna, Gigi looks so cute. Thanks for going to all this trouble.'

‘It's my pleasure. You know that I love to knit and I thought this would be a perfect gift for your first football final here,' she said, beaming.

I was nervous about the game, and about my friends finding out that I'd been in contact with Max. I had to try and block out everything and focus on my football.

I wasn't very hungry, but I made myself eat. I'd need plenty of energy to compete at my best. Nanna had whipped up her special banana pancakes with maple syrup. They were delicious, but I still felt the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I only managed to eat one serving, while Gigi polished off her bowl. She was excited and ready for action, wagging her tiny tail.

We were just about to leave when the phone rang. Now my stomach was pulsating – the butterflies got worse as I anxiously watched Nanna answer.

‘It's your mama, she wants to know what time the dance concert is being held,' said Nanna, giving me a bewildered look.

‘Oh, um … I can't perform because I'm injured. I pulled a calf muscle playing in the park yesterday, so I can't dance.' Great, yet another lie.

‘Did you hear that, Frida? She's injured, what a shame she can't perform. Anyway, we have to go as we're taking Lucy out for the day, but we'll make sure that she takes it
easy. Just enjoy your time with Paolo, we'll see you later this evening.' Nanna hung up, looking a little worried.

‘Phew. Nanna, you saved me. I don't know how to thank you!'

‘It's okay, sweetheart, I understand. One day soon, though, you're going to have to tell them. These little white lies are getting out of hand. I'm sure they'd love to see you play. The sooner you tell them the better.'

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!